Title 9 — Crimes and Corrections

Sections 70.10 through 70.85 of this Article may be cited as the Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (PAWS) Act or Pugua’s Law. SOURCE: Renamed and amended by P.L. 35-144:2 (Jan. 22, 2021). 2021 NOTE: This provision was formerly entitled “Cruelty to Animals: Defined; Exceptions;…

For the purposes of §§ 70.10 through 70.85 of this Article: (a) Animal means any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish, and is inclusive of, but not limited to, livestock and domestic animals. (b) Caregiving agency means an animal shelter, humane society, or other an…

Piercings; Minors; Violation; Classifica- tion; Anesthesia; Defense; Definition.

(a) A person commits the offense of Animal Neglect if, except as otherwise authorized by § 70.65 of this Article, the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly fails to provide minimum care for an animal in the person’s possession. (b) Animal Neglect is an offense punishable…

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the territory of Guam in the exercise of its police power for the public safety, public health and general welfare to assure equal opportunity to all persons to live in decent housing facilities regardless of race, color, religion, sex or…

When used in this Article: (a) Discrimination or discriminatory housing practice means any difference in treatment based upon race, color, religion, sex or national origin, or any act that is unlawful under this Article; (b) Financial institution includes any person, as defined h…

In connection with any of the transactions set forth in this Section, which affect any housing accommodation on the open market or in connection with any public sale, purchase, rental or lease of any housing accommodation, it shall be unlawful within the Territory for a person, o…

This Article shall not apply to: (a) a religious organization, association or society or any nonprofit institution or organization operating, supervised or controlled by or in conjunction with a religious organization, association or society, which limits the sale, rental or occu…

(a) A person commits the crime of Animal Abuse if, except as otherwise authorized by § 70.65 of this Article, the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence: (1) causes physical injury to an animal; (2) causes serious physical injury to an animal; or…

Any person aggrieved by an unlawful practice prohibited by this Article may file a complaint with the Attorney General within thirty (30) days after the aggrieved person becomes aware of the alleged unlawful practice, and in no event shall exceed more than COL 2026-06-10 sixty (6…

Nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from exercising any right or seeking any remedy to which he might otherwise be entitled.

Any person violating any provision of this Article shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a misdemeanor. ---------- ARTICLE 3 THE GUAM SOCIAL HOST ACT AND POSSESSION OF CANNABIS BY PERSONS UNDER TWENTY-ONE (21) YEARS OF AGE SOURCE: Entire Article added as §§ 70.52-70.53 by …

(a) A person commits the crime of Aggravated Animal Abuse if, except as otherwise authorized by § 70.65 of this Article, the person intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence: (1) tortures an animal; or (2) causes the death of an animal under circumstances …

This Article shall be known and may be cited as The Guam Social Host Act. SOURCE: Added as § 70.52 by P.L. 32-001 (Mar. 6, 2013), renumbered to § 70.310 pursuant to the authority of 1 GCA § 1606.

One. (a) No person twenty-one (21) years or older shall knowingly give or otherwise make available any alcoholic beverage or cannabis to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years. A person violates this Section who gives or otherwise makes available an alcoholic beverage or…

one (21) Years of Age. Any person under twenty-one (21) years of age possessing cannabis shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and subject to a One Hundred Dollar ($100.00) fine and suspension of their driver’s license for twelve (12) months for the first offense and a Two Hundr…

(a) No person shall cause, sponsor, aid, abet, arrange, hold, or encourage any animal to fight, menace, or injure another animal for the purpose of sport, amusement, or pecuniary gain. This Section does not apply to cockfighting that is authorized by law. (b) For the purposes of …

(a) A person commits the crime of Sexual Assault of an Animal if the person knowingly: (1) touches or contacts, or causes an object or another person to touch or contact, the mouth, anus, or sex organs of an animal or animal carcass for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the s…

Penalty.

Communications Prohibited; Penalty.

[Repealed, reserved, or text not separately stated.]

Minors; Violation; Classification; Anesthesia; Defense; Definition. (a) It is unlawful to tattoo a person who is under eighteen (18) years of age without the physical presence of that person's parent or legal guardian. (b) It is unlawful for a person who tattoos or pierces the bo…

[Repealed, reserved, or text not separately stated.]

No person shall operate a jet ski or water ski within the reef along Tumon Bay and Pago Bay except that a jet ski may be operated in the channel to enter or exit Tumon Bay and Pago Bay. This prohibition shall not apply to the use of jet ski for emergency rescue or for law enforce…

[Repealed, reserved, or text not separately stated.]

(a) A person is guilty of unlawfully using a telephone when he: (1) refuses to relinquish immediately a party line or public telephone when informed that the party line or public telephone is needed for an emergency call to the Department of Public Safety, Armed Services Police, …

§ 70.44.2 Leaving Children Unattended or § 31.70 COL 2026-06-10 Unsupervised in Motor Vehicles; Penalty; Authority of Law Enforcement Officer. § 70.44.3. Blacklisting Employees. § 70.40 § 70.44.4 Possession of Cannabis by Persons § 70.330 Under Twenty-One (21) Years of Age This p…

A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he permits to be made public or reveals to any person not entitled to review it any official record of the court, Attorney General or any other entity of the government of Guam which has been expunged in accordance with § 271 of the Code of …

(a) It is unlawful for any person to remove or permanently alter or disable, or cause or procure to be removed or permanently altered or disabled, any part or organ, or the function of any part or organ, of an animal, except as necessary for proper and lawful veterinary care, pop…

(a) If any person, agent, company, corporation, public official, or governmental agency, after having discharged any employee from his or its service, shall prevent or attempt to prevent by word or writing of any kind of untrue statement, or, in any manner, conspires or contrives…

or Detention Facility. (a) Definitions. (1) “Contraband” means any item not provided by or authorized by the operator of a correctional facility or detention facility; (2) “Correctional facility” means a confinemen facility at a prison operated by the Department of Correcions for…

(a) A person commits the offense of Animal Abandonment if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly leaves a domestic animal at a location without providing for the animal’s minimum care as defined in § 70.10.1(g) of this Article. (b) Animal Abandonment is a violation th…

Animal. (a) A person who, while operating a motor vehicle, knowingly injures or kills a cat, dog, or livestock, excluding chickens, shall stop and render such assistance as may be possible and safe to provide, and shall immediately report such injury or death to the animal’s owne…

COL 2026-06-10 Penalty; Authority of Officers. (a) For the purposes of this Section: (1) Vehicle means a car, truck, camper, trailer, or other form of transportation in which an animal can be transported. (2) Extreme temperature means an extremely cold or high temperature, inside…

(a) It is an affirmative defense in a prosecution for violation of animal abuse under § 70.25 (a) of this Article if: (1) the defendant reasonably and humanely caused the death of the animal to end its immediate and intractable suffering; or (2) the animal posed a present and imm…

(a) Unless otherwise authorized by law, sodium pentobarbital and such other agents as may be specifically approved by the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners shall be the only methods used for euthanasia of an animal. A lethal solution shall be used in the following order of pr…

(a) Reporting and Immunity. (1) The following designees, having a good-faith belief that any animal with whom the designee comes in contact has suffered a violation of this Article or that any person with whom the designee comes in contact has committed a violation of this Articl…

(a) Community Service. In addition to any other sentence it may impose, the court may order the defendant to participate in community service. No such participation shall occur at any humane society, animal shelter, or other facility where an animal is present, unless first appro…

Death of an Animal. (a) Any person who, with no lawful authority, intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes physical injury to, or the death of, an animal shall be liable to the animal’s guardian for the damages sustained by the guardian. The guardi…