Section 35-46-3-11.5 - Cruelty to a service animal(a) As used in this section, "service animal" means an animal that a person who is impaired by: (1) blindness or any other visual impairment;(2) deafness or any other aural impairment;(3) a physical disability; or(4) a medical condition; relies on for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person's medical condition.
(b) A person who knowingly or intentionally:(1) interferes with the actions of a service animal; or(2) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal; while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person described in subsection (a) commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) An offense under subsection (b)(2) is a Level 6 felony if the act results in the: (1) serious permanent disfigurement;(3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or(4) death; of the service animal.
(d) It is a defense that the accused person: (1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the service animal; or(2) reasonably believed the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person.Amended by P.L. 158-2013, SEC. 565, eff. 7/1/2014.As added by P.L. 143-1996, SEC.2. Amended by P.L. 9-2003, SEC.4.