Animal hospitals and shelters put animals down all the time. So it would seem it's not a crime.
But what if someone bought a dog or cat and killed it? Would they go to jail?
According to Wikipedia, Senator Bill Frist, when he was a medical student, got cats from a shelter and did medical experiments on them and killed them. I don't think he ever got into trouble for it. I mean, he's our freaking Senate majority leader so it obviously did not hurt his career.
What's the law on this kind of thing? I would never kill an animal but I am curious.
2006-07-12 08:16:27 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Animal cruelty laws differ depending on jurisdiction. I would suggest calling your local prosecutor, don't tell them your name, and run a hypothetical situation by them. They will be able to answer your question for your specific locale.
2006-07-12 08:48:06 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa B 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I guess it would depend on the reasons behind "killing" an animal. Yes, animal shelters and hospitals do it, and quite regularly for that matter. The difference is, they are "licensed" do it. For hospitals and shelters, though, it is done humanely. Basically the animal is injected with a liquid much similar to our Tylenol PM's. The animal will fall into a deep sleep and then it's heart will slow to a complete stop. If you bought a dog or cat and for some reason it needed to be destroyed, if you took it to a shelter or hospital and had it euthenized then no, you wouldn't get in trouble. If you beat it to death or over-dosed it on some kind of medication (even if you did it in your eyes humanely) then you would be charged with animal cruelty.
As for Senator Bill Frist, if this story is true, then he should have been charged with animal cruelty. But it's amazing what money can buy these days.
2006-07-12 15:22:12 · answer #2 · answered by Adoption P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because Bill Frist is a senator doesnt mean it is right to harm animals. Animals ahould only be euthanized if they are suffering. The law probably allows experimenting on animals but that doesnt make it right either.
2006-07-12 15:22:03 · answer #3 · answered by groomingdiva_pgh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are euthanized in a humanely manner by a licensed practitioner, then it is not a crime. However, if they are just killed by someone without it being an accident, then yes, it is a crime and depending on where you live, you can go to jail or face some other fines or penalties.
2006-07-12 15:34:14 · answer #4 · answered by mstrywmn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm sure every state is different but in LA if you kill and animal that doesn't belong to you the owner of the dog can press charges and although you may not spend time in jail you will have to pay a fine along with some kind of compensation for the owners lose
2006-07-12 15:43:29 · answer #5 · answered by Renee x 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vets only do it if the animal is in pain. Our cat had to be put down last month. He had cancer and could barely walk. Seeing him like that was so hard, having him put down was the kindest thing to do. I suppose it depends on the specific laws in your country. I live in Ireland and if you killed an animal here (and got caught) then you could go to jail.
2006-07-12 15:22:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just as soon kill a human than to kill an animal. My old neighbor, the jerk that he is, used to go around town trapping animals and throwing them out in the country. According to the police (b/c I turned him in) he had permission from the Mayor of the town to do so. His name is Tony Sharon
2006-07-12 15:41:28 · answer #7 · answered by simony 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you intentionally by an animal to kill it, then you are crazy. However, if you run over your pet accidentally, then it is not a crime. I ran over a dog by mistake when I was driving, and I was devastated, and couldn't eat or sleep, but the police said it was a crime (I turned myself in). He said it was punishbalbe by law (in NY) - if the owner pressed charges.
2006-07-12 15:32:08 · answer #8 · answered by Megan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats freakin animal cruelty, yes you would go to jail. Animal shelters have the right maybe cuz the animal is sick,or old
2006-07-12 15:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Drea♥ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Killing an animal just to kill it is a crime. Using strays for medical testing is not, because they can't test on humans.
2006-07-12 15:22:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't get charged for a crime PETA would probably kill you anyway. If you bought a dog or cat just to kill it you would be either drunk and then it would be a crime(drunk in public) or you would have to be retarded and I don't think they would charge you because you are.. well, retarded
2006-07-12 15:23:45 · answer #11 · answered by pack42586 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋