There are many different ways to be charged with Cruelty to Animals in Fort Collins and Lamer County, but they all involve neglecting or harming an animal in some way. One way that this crime can be charged is when a person engages in a sexual act with an animal. A woman was recently arrested for this crime after she recorded herself having sex with a German Shepherd and posting it online. According to the report, the video was found and when questioned, the woman claimed that she was paid to make the videos and she didn’t feel like she had a choice. None of these claims have been verified, but I doubt it will change her current criminal predicament. Being paid to do something doesn’t mean that you have a get out of jail free card to commit a crime.
Larimer County Cruelty to Animals Lawyer: Definition of Animal Abuse in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Cruelty to Animals – C.R.S. 18-9-202 – is:
(b) Any person who intentionally abandons a dog or cat commits the offense of cruelty to animals.
As you can see, the statute specifically states that if one ‘engages in a sexual act with an animal’ they have committed Cruelty to an Animal. Seeing that the woman admitted it was her in the video and there is an actual video of the act, she left little room for doubt in obtaining a conviction. In Colorado, Animal Cruelty is a class 1 misdemeanor crime.
Sex Offender Treatment for Cruelty to Animals Sentence in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, the Animal Cruelty statute allows the Court to order an evaluation of the defendant to be completed prior to sentencing. This evaluation plays a major role in the sentencing:
Notice the line “any other appropriate treatment program.” Any time a crime involved sex or a sexual act, it raises peoples heckles. When someone is accused of having sex with an animal, there is a chance that a judge could order Sex Offender Treatment for Cruelty to Animals as a part of the sentence. While not a sex offense, it seems the statute leaves the option open if the judge deems it appropriate.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Animal Cruelty, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by K Zoltan