Good Question: Is it a crime to dump a dog on the side of the road in Kentucky?
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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Today’s Good Question came from a viewer who asked if it was illegal to leave a dog on the side of the road in Kentucky. The simple answer is yes, abandoning a dog is a crime in Kentucky.
The question came in shortly after stories about dogs being abandoned. One dog was left at a park. Another was left outside a closed humane society. In each case, the person who abandoned the dog was breaking the law.
What Kentucky law says
KRS 525.130, cruelty to animals in the second degree, includes several acts that qualify as crimes. They include causing an animal to fight, beating or torturing it, failing to provide adequate food and abandonment.
The law is not limited to cats and dogs. It applies to any animal.
Penalties for abandonment
Violating the law is a Class A misdemeanor. It can lead to up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.
Some cities, including Louisville, have their own ordinances against animal abandonment.
When it can be a felony
If an animal is in especially bad shape, the offense could be a felony under Ethan’s Law. The law makes torturing an animal a felony.
What to do if you can’t care for an animal
For the safety of an animal that an owner can no longer take care of, the best option is to take it to a local shelter. The animal should be taken while the shelter is open and accepting surrenders.
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