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§ 39-14-202 Cruelty to animals (a) A person commits an offense who intentionally or knowingly: (1) Tortures, maims or grossly overworks an animal; (2) (A) Fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, or care for an animal in the person's custody; or (B) (i) Fails unreasonably to provide necessary shelter for an animal other than a dog in the person's custody; or (ii) (a) Fails unreasonably to provide shelter in a structure that meets the following requirements for a dog in the person's custody: (1) The structure is waterproof; constructed of steel, aluminum, or other sound and substantial material; is sufficient to protect the dog from inclement weather suitable for the age, breed, and physical condition of the dog; and is ventilated, insulated, and of a size appropriate to allow the dog to maintain normal body temperature; (2) The structure has dimensions that allow the dog while in the shelter to stand erect, sit, turn around, and lie down in a normal position; (3) The structure provides a solid surface, resting platform, pad, floormat, or similar device that is large enough for the dog to lie on in a normal manner and can be maintained in a sanitary manner; (4) The structure prevents pain, suffering, or a significant risk to the dog's health; and (5) During hot weather, the structure is properly shaded and during cold weather, the structure provides a quantity of bedding material that is sufficient to protect the dog from cold and promote the retention of body heat. (b) The requirements in subdivision (a)(2)(B)(ii)(a) do not apply to the space under buildings, decks, steps, or open crates and carriers designed for temporary housing unless modified to meet the requirements of subdivision (a)(2)(B)(ii)(a), including allowing the dog to retain normal body temperature; (3) Abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody; (4) Transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner; or (5) Inflicts burns, cuts, lacerations, or other injuries or pain, by any method, including blistering compounds, to the legs or hooves of horses in order to make them sore for any purpose including, but not limited to, competition in horse shows and similar events. (b) A person commits an offense who knowingly ties, tethers, or restrains a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury as defined in § 39-11-106. (§ 39-11-106 Criminal offenses - definitions (3) “Bodily injury” includes a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn or disfigurement, and physical pain or temporary illness or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty)
§ 39-14-212 Aggravated cruelty to animals – definitions; construction; penalty (a) A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, the person intentionally or knowingly: (1) Kills, maims, tortures, crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, mutilates, starves, or otherwise causes serious physical injury, a substantial risk of death, or death to a companion animal; or (2) Fails to provide food or water to the companion animal resulting in a substantial risk of death or death...(d) Aggravated cruelty to animals is a Class E felony.
§ 39-17-1363 Offense of owning, possessing, or having custody or control of a potentially vicious dog or a vicious dog (a) For purposes of this section: (1) "Potentially vicious dog" means a dog that may reasonably be assumed topose a threat to public safety as demonstrated by any of the following behaviors: (A) When unprovoked and off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog, inflicts a bite causing bodily injury, as defined in § 39-11-106, to a person or domestic animal; or (B) When unprovoked and off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog, on two (2) or more separate occasions, chases, menaces or approaches a person or domestic animal in an aggressive manner or apparent attitude of attack; (2) "Vicious dog" means any dog that without provocation and off the property ofthe owner or keeper of the dog, has attacked a person causing death or serious bodily injury, as defined by § 39-11-106, to such person; and (3) "Violent felony" means: (A) Any felony involving the use or attempted use of force, violence or a deadly weapon; (B) A violation of § 39-17-417, § 39-17-433 or § 39-17-435; or (C) A violation of § 39-14-203(a)(1)-(3), § 39-14-205, § 39-14-212 or § 39-14-214. (b) It is an offense for any person convicted of a violent felony to knowingly own, possess, have custody or control of a potentially vicious dog or a vicious dog for a period of ten (10) years after such person has been released from custody following completion of sentence or is no longer under active probation, community correction or parole supervision for such violent felony, whichever date is later. (c) It is an offense for any person convicted of a violent felony to own, possess, or have custody or control of a dog that: (1) Is not micro chipped for permanent identification; and (2) Is not spayed or neutered and is older than twelve (12) weeks of age. (d) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
§ 44-8-408 Dogs not allowed at large – exception; penalties (a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "owner" means a person who, at the time of the offense, regularly harbors, keeps or exercises control over the dog, but does not include a person who, at the time of the offense, is temporarily harboring, keeping or exercising control over the dog. (b) The owner of a dog commits an offense if that dog goes uncontrolled by the owner upon the premises of another without the consent of the owner of the premises or other person authorized to give consent, or goes uncontrolled by the owner upon a highway, public road, street or any other place open to the public generally.
§ 44-8-410 Bitches to be confined while proud Every owner of a bitch is required to confine the same for twenty-four (24) days during the time the bitch is proud.
§ 44-8-413 Civil liability for injury caused by dogs (a) (1) The owner of a dog has a duty to keep that dog under reasonable control at all times, and to keep that dog from running at large. A person who breaches that duty is subject to civil liability for any damages suffered by a person who is injured by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in or on the private property of another. (2) The owner may be held liable regardless of whether the dog has shown any dangerous propensities or whether the dog's owner knew or should have known of the dog's dangerous propensities.
§ 44-17-201 Dogs killing livestock -- owners of dogs are liable for livestock killed Where any dog shall kill, or in any manner damage, any livestock in this state, the owner or harborer of such dog shall be liable, in an action for damage, to the owner of such livestock.
§ 68-8-103 Anti-Rabies Law – vaccination; certificate and tags; frequency (a) It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older that has not been vaccinated against rabies as required by this chapter, or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter
§ 68-8-107 Anti-Rabies Law - Seizure of dogs/cats running at large -- Notification of seized animals -- Redemption by owner -- Vaccination requirement. (a) Any dog found running at large may be seized by any peace officer and placed in an animal shelter in counties or cities where an animal shelter or pound is available. 204 (b) If the dog or cat is wearing a rabies vaccination tag or other identification, all reasonable effort shall be made to locate and notify the owners who shall be required to appear within five (5) days and redeem the animal by paying a poundfee as set by the city or county legislative body. A failure to pay the pound fee, or have the animal vaccinated if proof of current vaccination is not produced prior to release, shall require the animal to be adopted or destroyed. (c) If any dog or cat is not wearing a vaccination tag or other identification, the animal may be adopted or destroyed, unless legally claimed by the owner within three (3) days. (d) No dog or cat three (3) months of age or older shall be released from a shelter without having proof of current vaccination or until it has been vaccinated and, where applicable, a tag issued.
§ 68-8-113 Anti-Rabies Law – violations Any person failing to meet any requirements or violating any of the provisions of this chapter commits a Class C misdemeanor with each violation being a separate offense.
