Introduction to Indiana Animal Protection Laws
Indiana, like many states throughout the nation, has created various laws and regulations that offer protection to its animals. These laws will often establish minimum care standards for animals, in addition to animal ownership guidelines, as well as penalties for cruelty to animals. This means that, in general, Indiana law will require that animals be provided with certain levels of nutrition, medical care (if needed), and safe living conditions. However, state laws may also require that animal owners provide for their animal’s basic needs, such as access to enough food, fresh water, shelter from extreme weather conditions, regular veterinary care, and other necessities as they arise.
Further, animals are protected by criminal laws when it comes to animal abuse . Indiana law allows for the prosecution of cruel acts towards pets and animals, including acts punishable by fines and incarceration. This creates a deterrent to potential offenders, while acting as a means of quickly getting individuals to stop any cruel treatment of animals.
These laws are important because they help to demonstrate a level of empathy for the treatment of all creatures, and seek to create a culture that places a high value on the lives of all living things. When we emphasize the importance of caring for animals, we are also likely to emphasize the need to care for one another, as well as our environment. Thus, animal protection laws benefit all creatures and all people, and are key to creating communities that are both harmonious and safe.
Pets And Domesticated Critters: Indiana Animal Laws
Indiana law provides for the licensing of dogs in each county in which they are kept. All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed. Spayed/neutered (sterile) dogs cost less to license than other dogs. License fees vary from county to county. Licenses are available at the county auditor or treasurer’s office and at some veterinarians’ and other private businesses.
You must have your dog rabies vaccinated. The shot typically costs between $10 and $20 and is good for one year or three years, depending on the vaccine. In Indiana, a dog is not required to be vaccinated if it is physically unfit to receive the vaccine; the veterinarian who gave the shot issues you a certificate stating why it shouldn’t be vaccinated.
You must show proof of current rabies vaccination at the time of licensing, which your veterinarian will give you. The license tag must be secure enough so that it can’t be easily removed from the collar. If the tag is lost, a new one must be obtained immediately.
Every year on January 1st, a "dog tax" is assessed on all owned dogs in Indiana. The tax varies by county.
All dogs kept in a house, barn, or fenced yard must have some type of shelter that is structurally sound, off the ground, has proper ventilation and is protected from sunlight and inclement weather. It should be large enough to allow the dog to move and turn around while lying down and big enough to accommodate the number of dogs kept there.
You cannot keep a dog continuously tied up with no access to food, water, and veterinary care. The dog should at least have access to fresh air and sunlight. When tied, the dog’s collar and tether must be large enough to allow the dog to freely turn and sit or lie down without being choked or injured, and also allow at least 5 feet of movement. It must also be well constructed so that the dog cannot slip out of its collar.
Enclosures in which dogs are kept must be at least 150 square feet for the first animal and must be 50 square feet for each additional animal, and 10 feet in height. Depending on the size of the dog(s), the enclosure may need to be larger. Enclosures do not need to be constructed of chain link fencing if the sides and/or tops are made of another material to keep the dog from escaping.
Fauna Protection And Preservation
Many laws and regulations in Indiana are aimed at the protection and conservation of wildlife. The Indiana Code offers significant protections to all registered species of bird. The protections include a prohibition on hunting or trapping birds, without a valid permit, as well as fines of up to $5,000 dollars for illegal killing or destroying of birds. Since all registered birds and fowl in Indiana cannot be killed or trapped without a valid permit (as they are all protected by state laws), those laws in conjunction with other government agencies help to protect the animal population of the state. In addition, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources controls the laws against illegally killing or taking game or wild animals out of season, or without a valid hunting license as well as many other laws governing the hunting of wildlife in the state (here, here). These hunting laws in Indiana aim to keep the wildlife population in check, while forcing hunters to follow all the rules.
Farm Animal Welfare Guidelines
In Indiana, the treatment and welfare of farm animals are governed by best practice guidelines and voluntary programs encouraging humane standards. Farmers are invited to participate in certification programs that will disclose information about animal care practices to consumers. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health ("ISBAH") has a Hoosier Certified Livestock Program that was created in 2012 in response to Indiana’s farmers who wanted to voluntarily show they follow best practices while providing consumers with information about where food products come from. The voluntary program is open to all food animal species: cattle, swine, lamb, goat and horse . All farms that apply for Hoosier certification undergo an assessment to ensure compliance with Indiana biosecurity, animal care and employee training best practices. More than 70 farms statewide are presently participating in the program. Participants can use the Hoosier Certified logo on farm signs, websites and product marketing. In addition to the Hoosier Certified program, Indiana is one of 31 states that has a mandatory reporting system for meat and poultry disease. Outbreaks must be reported to the Board of Animal Health within 24 hours and investigations must be conducted to minimize the public health impact.
Legal Proscriptions Against Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty and neglect are taken very seriously in Indiana. The 2016 law that included the newly formed crimes against animal abuse in the Indiana Code provides criminal penalties for animal cruelty and neglect on three levels: Class A misdemeanor, Level 6 felony and Level 5 felony.
Class A misdemeanor
Class A misdemeanor charges incur a fine of up to $5,000 and a maximum jail sentence of one year. A class A misdemeanor charge will be applied in cases of animal cruelty or neglect such as when an owner or custodian of an animal…
Level 6 felony
Level 6 felony charges incur a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum prison sentence of six years. In 2012, the Lafayette Animal Shelter and Control Center made headlines as Indiana’s largest animal cruelty raid in the past 50 years. More than 150 animals were rescued in what was later confirmed to be a Level 6 felony animal cruelty case. The raid took place at the North Central Indiana Animal Rescue Network in Lafayette, Indiana. The case involved dozens of emaciated cats and dogs, many of which "were just seconds away from death."
Level 5 felony
Level 5 felony charges incur a fine of up to $10,000 and a maximum prison sentence of six years. In cases of animal cruelty or neglect, an individual is charged with a Level 5 felony if the incident includes any of the following circumstances…
Take care of your pets to avoid animal cruelty charges
While repercussions of animal cruelty and neglect previously included animal law violations and potential fines, the 2016 extension of animal law to include new crimes and tougher penalties is making it more important than ever that you understand Indiana’s animal laws.
Indiana Animal Rights Resources
For those seeking justice for abused or neglected animals in Indiana, there are various resources available to help you navigate the legal landscape and provide guidance on how to report animal abuse and pursue legal action.
If you suspect or witness animal cruelty or abuse, you should consider contacting law enforcement. Both the Indiana Humane Society and the ASPCA offer online resources that allow you to submit reports of potential animal cruelty. If you recently witnessed animal abuse or neglect, it may be beneficial to take photos or videos of the situation, document the date and time, and write notes about the situation. Both organizations stress how critical it is to collect as much information as possible after an animal has been abused, as cruel people may move or harm animals before authorities can take action.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) provides an extensive database of all the various animal-related laws in Indiana, as well as the contact information of the respective agencies in charge of enforcing them . You can visit the AWI website to learn more about animal-related laws and to find information on how to report animal abuse in your area.
If you’re unable to reach someone at your local Humane Society or ASPCA branch, you may also contact the Indiana State Police, your County Sheriff’s Department or your town’s Police Department for assistance. The Indiana Animal Control Association is another great contact that can assist in investigating suspected cases of abuse and neglect.
In addition to organizations dedicated to protecting the welfare of animals, there are many law and advocacy groups that specialize in animal law and the protection of animal rights. For instance, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the leading group fighting to keep animal abusers off the streets, has a vital Legal Impact Fund that offers legal protection to animals and their advocates across the country.