What is animal abuse?
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The Michigan Legislature has designed three primary provisions related to cruelty to animals:
- Intentional infliction of pain and suffering – carries severe penalties for animal cruelty.
- Duty to provide care – initially a misdemeanor, which becomes a felony for a second or subsequent violation;
- Anti-animal fighting – either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of conduct related to fighting (for example, being a spectator at a fight is a misdemeanor while organizing a fight is a felony).
Michigan anti-animal cruelty law also protects animals in work-related roles, such as guide dogs and police animals.
Chief Jacqueline Gartin
Email: Jacqueline.gartin@macombgov.org