§711-1108.5 Cruelty to animals in the first degree. (1) A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree if the person intentionally or knowingly:
(2) Subsection (1)(a) shall not apply to:
(3) Subsection (1)(b) shall not apply to:
(4) Whenever any pet animal or equine animal is so severely injured that there is no reasonable probability that its life can be saved, the animal may be immediately destroyed without creating any offense under this section.
(5) Cruelty to animals in the first degree is a class C felony. In addition to any fines and imprisonment imposed under this section, any person convicted under this section shall be prohibited from possessing or owning any pet animal or equine animal for a minimum of five years from the date of conviction.
[(6)] For the purposes of this section, "person" means any individual; any firm, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, corporation, estate, trust, receiver, or syndicate; or any other legal entity. [L 2007, c 114, §2; am L 2008, c 111, §2; am L 2011, c 135, §1; am L 2013, c 209, §2; am L 2024, c 221, §3]