26. COLORADO CRIMINAL CODE – OFFENSES INVOLVING CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

The Colorado Crime of Cruelty to animals 18-9-202 (2) (a) 

The first offense of cruelty to animals is a class 1 misdemeanor. 18-9-202 (2) (a)

A second or subsequent conviction of cruelty to animals is a class 6 felony. 18-9-202 (2) (b) (I)

Aggravated cruelty to animals (knowing torture, torment, needless mutilation, or killing) is a class 6 felony. 18-9-202 (2) (c)

A second or subsequent conviction of aggravated cruelty to animals (knowing torture, torment, needless mutilation, or killing) is a class 5 felony. 18-9-202 (2) (c)

The Colorado Crime of Animal fighting – penalty 18-9-204 (2)

Any person who causes, sponsors, arranges, or encourages a fight between animals for monetary gain or entertainment commits a class 5 felony. 18-9-204 (2)

Any person committing a second or subsequent offense of causing, sponsoring, arranging, or  encouraging a fight between animals for monetary gain or entertainment commits a class 4 felony. 18-9-204 (2)

The Colorado Crime of Unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog 18-9-204.5 (3) (b)

The first offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog is a class 3 misdemeanor when the dog inflicts bodily injury upon any other person. 18-9-204.5 (3) (b)

The first offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog is a class 3 misdemeanor when the dog injures or destroys any domestic animal. 18-9-204.5 (3) (e) (I)

A second or subsequent offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog is a class 2 misdemeanor when the dog inflicts bodily injury upon another person. 18-9-204.5 (3) (b)

A second or subsequent offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog is a class 2 misdemeanor when the dog injures or destroys any domestic animal. 18-9-204.5 (3) (e) (II)

The first offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog is a class 1 misdemeanor when the dog inflicts serious bodily injury to a person. 18-9-204.5 (3) (c)

A second or subsequent offense of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog when the dog inflicts bodily injury upon a person is a class 6 felony. 18-9-204.5 (3) (c)

Any person who owns a dangerous dog when the dog causes the death of a person commits a class 5 felony. 18-9-204.5 (3) (d)

The Colorado Crime of Unauthorized release of an animal 18-9-206 (2)

Intentionally releasing, without the consent of the owner or custodian, an animal that is lawfully  confined for any scientific, research, commercial, legal sporting, public safety, or educational purposes is a class 2 misdemeanor. 18-9-206 (2)

The Colorado Crime of Tampering with or drugging livestock 18-9-207 (3)

Tampering with or drugging livestock is a class 1 misdemeanor. 18-9-207 (3)

The Colorado Crime of False reporting of animal cruelty 18-9-209 (3)

Knowingly making a false report of animal cruelty to a local law enforcement agency or to the state bureau of animal protection is a class 3 misdemeanor. 18-9-209 (3)