State Statutes Serve Search Warrant Seize Animals Arrest Offenders Training Required Miscellaneous Powers (i.e., carry firearm, seize equipment, investigatory powers, etc.)

Alabama AL ST § 3-1-13 AL ST § 3-1-29



Not specified May take charge of and provide care for any animal that is sick or disabled due to neglect or is being cruelly treated or abused



Not specified None None

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas AR ST § 20-19-101 AR ST § 20-19-104





Not specified



Not specified



Not specified Voluntary certification program established by Department of Health and Human Services and with t raining administered by Arkansas Animal Control Association



None

California CA CORP § 14502



Level 1 and 2 humane officers may serve search warrants for a violation, but must provide prior notice to local law enforcement agencies





Not specified Level 1 and 2 humane officers may make arrests for violation



Level 1 and 2 humane officers: 20 hours of training in animal care, the focus of which shall be the identification of disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock

40 hours of training in the state humane laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer

40 hours of continuing education and training Level 1: ongoing weapons training and range qualifications



Level 1 and 2 humane officers may use reasonable force necessary to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal Level 1 officers are authorized to carry firearms.









Colorado CO ST § 35-42-107 May issue summons and complaints





Not specified Not specified "Specified by the commissioner," but not specifically provided May investigate cases









Connecticut CT ST § 29-108a - i



Not specified May take charge of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated

May take charge of and humanely destroy any abandoned, lost, strayed or homeless animal or animal unsuitable for adoption upon veterinarian certification or owner's written consent May arrest and detain any person violating the statutes concerning cruelty to animals





Not specified May interfere to prevent any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence

Delaware DE ST TI 3 §§ 7901-7905



Not specifically provided, but may be able to serve search warrant pursuant to "other process" provision May impound animal subjected to cruel mistreatment or cruel neglect in an S.P.C.A. shelter or veterinarian facility



May execute any warrant of arrest issued under cruelty to animal laws



Not specified None

D.C.

Florida FL ST § 828.03 FL ST § 828.073



Not specified May take custody of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated



Not specified Not specified May order owner of animal found neglected or cruelly treated to provide care to the animal





Georgia

Hawaii HI ST § 711-1110 Not specified Not specified May arrest offenders and bring them before district judge



Not specified





None

Idaho

Illinois IL ST CH 510 § 70/9 - 70/12



May enter premises other than residence during normal business hours where the animal(s) are housed or kept, except by search warrant or court order







May impound animal(s) with authorization from Department of Agriculture

May impound animal(s) and then notify Department in an emergency Not specified Not specified



May investigate a violation

May furnish the violator with a notice of violation and state what action is necessary to come into compliance with this Act

Indiana IN ST § 36-8-3-18 Same as police officers Same as police officers Detect and arrest persons violating humane statutes





Same as police officers









File affidavits before a court charging the person violating the law with the violation (if directed by the president of the humane society)





Iowa

Kansas KS ST § 21-6412



Not specified May take into custody any animal which shows evidence of cruelty





Not specified Not specified May inspect, care for or treat animal(s)

May place animal(s) in the care of a humane society or veterinarian for treatment, boarding or other care

May file a sworn complaint against perpetrator of cruelty to animals





Kentucky KY ST § 436.605



May search the premises pursuant to search warrant



Not specified Must summon a peace officer to arrest an offender



Not specified Have powers of peace officers, except for the power of arrest

Louisiana LA RS § 3:2391



LA RS § 2431



May remove animal if: Cruelty is being practiced towards animal

Animal is bruised, wounded, crippled, abrased, sick, or diseased



Not specified Not specified Not specified Have the usual power of policemen and peace officers

Maine

Maryland MD CRIM LAW § 10-609 MD CRIM LAW § 10-615 MD CRIM LAW § 10-616



Not specified May seize an animal to protect it animal from cruelty





If officer sees a person committing a misdemeanor that involves cruelty to an animal, s/he shall arrest offender and bring him or her before the District Court



Not specified An authorized director of a humane society may inspect kennel premises if accompanied by a sheriff or a deputy sheriff





Massachusetts MA ST 22C § 57 MA ST 272 § 88 MA ST 272 § 89



May serve search warrant to search building or tenement at any hour of the day or night



May take possession of animals used for animal-fighting





May arrest and detain any person violating any law for the prevention of cruelty to animals

May arrest all persons on the premises where animal-fighting occurs or where such animals are kept without a warrant



Not specified May, without a warrant, enter any premises used for animal- fighting

May take possession of all paraphernalia, implements, or equipment used for animal-fighting

Michigan MCL § 750.54 MCL § 750.55





May search building or place where animal cruelty is suspected pursuant to search warrant





Not specified May arrest any person engaged in animal cruelty

aiding or abetting animal cruelty



Not specified Have all the powers of a sheriff of the county to enforce animal cruelty laws

Shall seize every article or instrument designed or adapted to torture or inflict wounds upon any animal or to aid in the fighting or baiting of any animal

Minnesota MN ST § 343.01 MN ST § 343.06 MN ST § 343.12



Not specified Take possession of any animals that have been cruelly treated, and

Deliver them to the proper officers for custody and care Duty to arrest any person violating cruelty to animals laws



Must have training and experience in activities relating to prevention of cruelty to animals or enforcement of laws relating to cruelty to animals



Assist in the enforcement of laws for the prevention of wrongs to animals

Investigate any alleged violation of the law relative to cruelty to animals

Mississippi MS ST § 97-41-2 Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified May make arrangements for animal's care as temporary custodian of mistreated animal





Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada NV ST § 574.040 NV ST § 574.055





Not specified May take possession of any animal that is being treated cruelly May make arrests in the same manner as is provided for other officers



Not specified May provide cruelly-treated animal with shelter and care

May destroy animal in a humane manner (with written permission from owner)





New Hampshire NH ST § 105:18



NH ST § 644:8





Not specified Arresting officer may confiscate cruelly-treated animal May take into temporary protective custody any animal when there is probable cause to believe that it has been or is being abused or neglected,

clear and imminent danger to the animal's health or life, and

not sufficient time to obtain a court order



May arrest offenders and bring them before any court or magistrate having jurisdiction



Not specified May enter horse-racing or dog-racing facilities to take cruelly-treated horses or dogs into temporary protective custody





New Jersey NJ ST § 4:22-11.1 NJ ST § 4:22-11.7 NJ ST § 4:22-11.8 NJ ST § 4:22-11.10 NJ ST § 4:22-11.11



Not specified Not specified May make arrests



Must complete firearms training and courses in the law, procedures, and enforcement methods and techniques of investigation, arrest, and search and seizure, in connection with violations of animal cruelty laws and ordinances;

information and procedures related to animals, including animal behavior and traits and evaluation of animals at a crime scene;

methods to identify and document animal abuse, neglect, and distress; and

investigation of animal fighting



May enforce all laws and ordinances enacted for the protection of animals

May investigate alleged acts of cruelty to animals

May issue summons

May carry a firearm





New Mexico

New York N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 117 N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 353-d N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 371-375 N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 2.10



May serve a warrant to enter and search a place where animal cruelty is alleged by complaint



May seize

any lost, strayed, homeless or abandoned animal found in any street, road or other public place

any animal on any premises, which for more than 12 hours has been kept in a crowded or unhealthy condition or not properly cared for or without necessary sustenance, food or drink (with a warrant)

animals used for animal fighting

an animal from a vehicle if the animal is in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury due to exposure to extreme heat or cold May arrest and bring offender before a court or magistrate



Not specified May prevent any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence

May cause any animal found abandoned and not properly cared for, or any lost, strayed, homeless or unwanted animal to be humanely destroyed (with veterinarian certification or owner consent)

May issue an appearance ticket and summons





North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 19A-45 - 19A-49 May forcibly enter any premises or vehicle to execute order if s/he reasonably believes that the premises or vehicle is unoccupied by any person

that the animal is on the premises or in the vehicle, and

accompanied by a law-enforcement officer



May request a law-enforcement officer or animal control officer to accompany him to help seize animal



Not specified Must attend annually a 6 hour course in the investigation of complaints relating to the care and treatment of animals





May file with a magistrate a sworn complaint requesting an order allowing the investigator to provide suitable care for and take immediate custody of cruelly-treated animal





North Dakota ND ST § 36-21.1-06 ND ST § 36-21.1-12 ND ST § 36-21.1-13



Not specified May take custody of and care for any animal unjustifiably exposed to cold or inclement weather

not properly fed and watered

any animal found abandoned



Not specified Not specified May care for the animal until it is redeemed by the owner

May deliver the animal to another person or facility to be sheltered, cared for, and furnished suitable food and drink





Ohio Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.06



Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.08 Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.09



Not specified May require the sheriff of any county, the constable of any township, the marshal or a policeman of any municipal corporation, or any agent of such a society, to take possession of any animal cruelly treated, and deliver such animal to the proper officers of the society



May arrest any person violating a law protecting persons or animals or preventing acts of cruelty thereto

May require the sheriff of any county, the constable of any township, the marshal or a policeman of any municipal corporation, or any agent of such a society, to arrest any person found violating the laws in relation to cruelty to persons or animals Minimum of 20 hours of training in investigation and prosecution of cruelty to and neglect of animals, including animal husbandry practices



May interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty to animals in his presence

May use such force as is necessary to prevent act of cruelty

May summon to his aid any bystanders





Oklahoma

Oregon Or. Rev. Stat. § 686.450 Or. Rev. Stat. § 686.460



Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified investigate reports of suspected aggravated animal abuse

process case in same manner as any other criminal investigation





Pennsylvania PA ST 22 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701 - 3718 18 Pa.C.S. § 5511



May search any building or enclosure in which any violation is occurring or has occurred pursuant to search warrant Power to seize any animal kept or used for animal fighting



Not specified Must complete a minimum 60 hours of instruction in the following areas:



Pennsylvania cruelty to animal laws

Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure

Care and treatment of animals

Proper execution of search warrants

Proper search and seizure practices

Animal husbandry practices constituting normal agricultural operation.

Practices accepted in the agricultural industry in the raising, keeping and production of agricultural animals

Characteristics of agricultural animals likely evidencing care that is in violation of the cruelty to animal laws

Proper care and handling of agricultural animals pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals laws

Treatments administered and research conducted during the normal scope of veterinarian practices Have same powers to initiate criminal proceedings as police officers

May provide care to seized animal

May provide for humane destruction of disabled, injured or diseased animal that has been seized and is beyond reasonable hope of recovery

May carry a firearm if s/he holds a current and valid certification in the use and handling of firearms





Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-21



R.I. Gen. Laws § 4-1-22 May serve any search warrant and search any building or place named in warrant



May take charge of any animal found abandoned or neglected, or is aged, maimed, disabled, lame, sick, diseased, injured, unfit for the labor it is performing, or cruelly treated



Same power and authority to arrest as any officer authorized to serve criminal process



Not specified May carry pistol





South Carolina S.C. Code Ann. § 47-1-120 S.C. Code Ann. § 47-1-140



S.C. Code Ann. § 47-1-150



Not specified May seize an animal preceding an arrest

May take charge of animal and deposit animal in a safe place of custody or deliver the animal into the possession of the police or sheriff when a person is arrested

may move for an order to take custody of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated



May make an arrest Not specified May order owner of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated to provide care to animal at owner's expense





Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-207 Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-210



Not specified Not specified May make arrests and bring before court offenders found violating the provisions with regard to non-livestock animals



Not specified May cause adequate veterinary treatment, shelter or nourishment to be furnished to an at-large animal

May interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in that person's presence

May destroy any animal found abandoned or not properly cared for, appearing to be injured or diseased past humane recovery





Texas

Utah

West Virginia

Wisconsin