IowaPeople who torture animals would face felony penalties in Iowa
People who intentionally or knowingly torture animals would face prison terms of up to five years, or up to 10 years with certain prior convictions.
What it does
People who commit animal torture would face up to five years in prison and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. Certain prior convictions would trigger a higher penalty.
People who commit animal torture after a listed animal-related conviction would face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,370 to $13,660.
Animal torture would include intentionally or knowingly subjecting an animal to serious injury or death. It would also cover causing, directing, or paying someone else to do so.
Argument forCovering people who direct or pay others to torture animals could help hold those who arrange the harm accountable.
Argument againstA listed prior animal-related conviction could expose someone to up to 10 years in prison, making the punishment especially severe.
More detail
People who commit animal torture would be guilty of a class D felony, a serious crime. The standard penalty would allow up to five years in prison and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245. A listed prior animal-related conviction would trigger the higher penalty described below.
People who commit animal torture after a listed conviction would be guilty of a class C felony. This penalty would allow up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $1,370 to $13,660. Covered prior convictions include animal abuse, animal torture, and animal neglect punishable as a serious or aggravated misdemeanor. Convictions for harming or interfering with a police service dog, sexual acts with animals, or prohibited animal contests would also count.
Animal torture would cover subjecting an animal to serious injury or death, including by crushing, burning, or drowning it. The definition would also cover causing or directing another person to do the same, or giving that person something of value to do it. The person would have to act intentionally or knowingly.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 29Withdrawn.Latest
- Apr 29HF 2348 substituted.
- Mar 19Placed on calendar under unfinished business.
- Mar 9Attached to HF 2348.
- Feb 25Fiscal note.
- Feb 11Placed on calendar.
- Feb 11Committee report, recommending passage.Minor
- Feb 4Subcommittee recommends passage.Minor
- Feb 3Subcommittee Meeting: 02/04/2026 12:30PM Room 217 Conference Room.
- Jan 28Subcommittee: Evans, Quirmbach, and Taylor.
- Jan 26Introduced, referred to Judiciary.Introduced
Criminal Justice