(p. 40) Law and Animal Maltreatment
- DOI:
- 10.1093/med:psych/9780199360901.003.0002
The criminal justice system is recognizing the need to protect animals and the link between animal abuse and various forms of interpersonal violence. Although animal abuse and neglect are crimes across the United States, states vary considerably in terms of which animals and acts are excluded from animal protection laws, and also in the seriousness with which they treat animal maltreatment offenders. The more progressive states have added animals to protective orders in domestic violence cases, increased penalties by making certain forms of abuse felonies, required restitution for the care of animals seized during execution of a search warrant, and mandated or permitted psychological assessment and/or counseling for those convicted of animal maltreatment. This chapter describes the evolution of animal welfare law, current state statutes regarding animal maltreatment, and the states’ provisions for forensic evaluations of persons convicted of animal maltreatment.
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