Cruelty To Animals
W. Va. Code § 61-8-19 — food, water, shelter and care, no leaving a pet in a hot car, and a felony for torture
- Mistreat or abandon an animal.
- Withhold food, water, shelter from the weather, or needed medical treatment.
- Leave an animal confined in a vehicle where injury or death is likely.
- Cruelly chain or tether an animal.
Doing any of those intentionally, knowingly or recklessly is a misdemeanor, with a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $2,000, jail of not more than six months, or both.
Torture is a felony. Intentionally torturing, mutilating or maliciously killing an animal is a felony of not less than one nor more than five years and a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000.
A particular case is a question for a licensed West Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- W. Va. Code § 61-8-19 — Cruelty to animals; penalties; exclusions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed West Virginia attorney.