Ramifications of animal cruelty
Recently, a UCF student plead guilty to animal cruelty charges. Luke Stribling admitted punching his puppy. Mr. Stribling is no longer allowed to own or take care of any pets at all. He also was sentenced to three years’ probation, 100 hours of community service, and eight hours of anger management treatment. His sentence also requires him to make a $1,000 donation to a pet charity. He received this lighter sentence since he agreed to plead guilty.
In Florida, the definition of animal cruelty is unnecessarily overloading, overdriving, tormenting, depriving of necessary sustenance or shelter, mutilating, or killing any animal. This can be broken down into different categories: animal neglect, misdemeanor animal cruelty, felony animal cruelty, and animal fighting.
Animal neglect consists of depriving an animal of necessities such as food, water, and shelter. Animals must also be provided with a reasonable amount of exercise. If a person is charged with this, they could face a first-degree misdemeanor. The penalties include up to a maximum of one year in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Misdemeanor animal cruelty is the unlawful and unnecessary overloading, tormenting, mutilation, or killing of an animal. This is usually a first-degree misdemeanor and can result in prison time and fines.
When does felony animal cruelty occur?
Felony animal cruelty occurs if a person committed an act that results in cruel death or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering. This could result in up to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Animal fighting is a third-degree felony and can result in up to 5 years in prison. This includes “baiting, breeding, transporting, selling, owning, possessing, or using any wild or domestic animal for the purpose of fighting.” Psychological counseling and anger management courses can be added as part of the sentence.
33rd Street Bail Bonds bails clients out of jail for numerous charges including DUI, domestic violence, drug trafficking, and more. To start the bail bond process, please call 407-425-7200 or 407-425-3303. A bail bond agent is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days of the year. We know that being in jail can be stressful and scary. Our bail bond agents are here to help guide you through the bail bond process.
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