717B.8 Abandonment of cats and dogs — penalties. 1. A person commits animal abandonment if the person owns or has custody of a cat or dog and relinquishes all rights in and duties to care for the cat or dog. 2. This section does not apply to any of the following:a. The delivery of a cat or dog to another person who will accept ownership and custody of the cat or dog. b. The delivery of a cat or dog to an animal shelter or pound as defined in section 162.2 that has been issued or renewed a valid authorization by the department under chapter 162. c. A person who relinquishes custody of a cat at a location in which the person does not hold a legal or equitable interest, if previously the person had taken custody of the cat at thesame location and provided for the cat’s sterilization by a veterinarian. 3. a. A person who commits animal abandonment that does not cause injury or death to an animal is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. b. A person who commits animal abandonment that causes injury other than serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. c. A person who commits animal abandonment that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of an injury other than serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of a serious misdemeanor. c. A person who commits animal abandonment that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor. 94 Acts, ch 1103, §19; 2020 Acts, ch 1111, §9Referred to in §717B.1 Sat Dec 23 12:30:46 2023 Iowa Code 2024, Section 717B.8 (16, 0)
Iowa Legal Code