Juvenile Animal Cruelty Attorney
Social Media Calf Video Implicates a Teen for Cruelty to Animals

A teen is facing Cruelty to Animals charges after a video was posted on social media showing a calf being harmed. Read more here.

Cruelty to Animals or Animal Abuse is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of harming an animal. With social media booming, teens are posting absolutely everything – including bad behavior. Recently, law enforcement received a tip that a video was circulating on social media which showed a juvenile harming a calf. Through the investigation, multiple juveniles were identified as persons involved. The owner of the calf was unaware of what had occurred. While little information was available due to the ages of those accused, likely Animal Cruelty charges will be charged.

Larimer County Calf Animal Abuse Lawyer: Definition of Cruelty to Animals in Colorado

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Cruelty to Animals – C.R.S. 18-9-202 – is:

(1) (a) A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence overdrives, overloads, overworks, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, allows to be housed in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical harm, carries or confines in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner, engages in a sexual act with an animal, or otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or, having the charge or custody of any animal, fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal involved, or abandons an animal.

(b) Any person who intentionally abandons a dog or cat commits the offense of cruelty to animals.

(1.5)(a) A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she recklessly or with criminal negligence tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal.

(b) A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals if he or she knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal.

(c) A person commits cruelty to a service animal or a certified police working dog or police working horse if he or she violates the provisions of subsection (1) of this section with respect to a service animal, certified police working dog, or police working horse, as those terms are defined in section 18-9-201 (2.3), (2.4), and (4.7), whether the service animal, certified police working dog, or police working horse is on duty or not on duty.

The article only describes the video as showing ‘cruel acts’ toward the calf. This could really mean a number of things – which could mean the felony Aggravated Cruelty to Animals charge. If law enforcement sees the juvenile’s actions as tormenting, beating, or mistreating the calf, then it would be a misdemeanor charge. If the video shows the juvenile knowingly torturing or mutilating the calf, then they could be facing the felony charge.

My Child Has Been Charged with a Crime in Loveland or Estes Park: What Should I Do?

If your child has been charged with a crime like Animal Cruelty in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, you want to make sure that they are well represented. The last thing you want is for a mistake your child made to follow them for the rest of their lives. At the O’Malley Law Office, our number one goal is to protect your child’s future. Call us for a free consultation today!


If you or someone you love has been charged with Cruelty to Animals, 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. We also practice in Greeley – Weld County. Click here to visit our Greeley website. Together, we can protect your future.

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