Top Larimer County Cruelty to Animals Lawyers
This Summer, Remember to Keep Your Dogs Out of the Car

Cruelty to Animals, C.R.S. 18-9-202, is often charged in Fort Collins and throughout Colorado for leaving dogs in hot cars. If you've been criminally charged, call our top criminal defense lawyers today at 970-658-0007.

Cruelty to Animals, C.R.S. 18-9-202, is frequently charged at the Larimer County Courts when a person leaves a dog or another pet in a locked car with the ignition off on a hot day.  Such was the case with this Fort Collins man, who was sentenced earlier this year to 2 months in the Larimer County Jail.  The man had kept his dog locked inside his car last year while he went off to play golf, ultimately resulting in the dog’s death.  He was also sentenced to numerous other penalties, including 100 hours of community service, 2 years of probation, and more.  If you have been charged with Cruelty to Animals, act now to protect your future, and contact our top Larimer County criminal defense lawyers today.

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Cruelty to Animals, C.R.S. 18-9-202 at the Larimer County Courts

Animal Abuse Charges are Often Due to Accidents in Fort Collins

Penalties for Animal Cruelty Charges in Loveland and Estes Park

Cruelty to Animals, C.R.S. 18-9-202 at the Larimer County Courts

Cruelty to Animals, C.R.S. 18-9-202, is defined as follows at the Larimer County Courts:

(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.

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

Animal Abuse Charges are Often Due to Accidents in Fort Collins

More often than not, we see Animal Abuse charges stemming from accidents in Fort Collins.  In the case of leaving animals in hot cars, there are many loving pet owners who would never dream of hurting their beloved animals.  Unfortunately, they underestimate the amount of time they’ve left Fido in the car, not realizing that the temperature inside is far higher than the temperature outside.

Even if the dog turns out to be okay, these pet owners will likely find themselves charged for confining their pet in a vehicle in “a cruel or reckless manner.”  It is also likely that they’ll wind up with a broken window.

Penalties for Animal Cruelty Charges in Loveland and Estes Park

Conviction of Animal Cruelty charges in Loveland or Estes Park can result in stiff penalties, depending on the number of prior offenses the defendant has had.  See the table below:

Number of Offenses

Classification

Penalties

1st Class 1 misdemeanor / M1
  • Up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail
  • Fine of up to $1,000
  • Mental health evaluation + possible treatment
2nd or subsequent Class 6 felony / F6
  • 1 – 1.5 years in the Colorado DOC
    • Probation possible, but defendant must serve min. 90 days in the Larimer County Jail or home detention
  • 1 year of mandatory parole upon release
  • Fine of $2,000 – $500,000
  • Mental health evaluation + required treatment program
  • Prohibition from owning or caring for a pet for 3-5 years

Regardless of whether you were charged with misdemeanor or felony Cruelty to Animals, it is imperative that you contact a top Fort Collins criminal defense lawyer ASAP.  It’s not just about being able to keep your beloved pets – it’s about protecting every aspect of your future, including your job and your personal reputation.  Only an experienced attorney can protect your future.  Give us a call today to discuss your case and to entrust your case to the best hands possible.


If you’ve been charged with Cruelty to Animals, remember to be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent.  Do not allow Animal Control to come into your home, and do not discuss your case with them, the Fort Collins Police, or Larimer County Sheriff.  Then call (970) 658-0007 to discuss your case with one of our top criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office today.  Together, we can protect your future.

The location for the Larimer County Courts is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!

Photo by Erik Mclean