How to Report Animal Cruelty in Indiana: Laws, Steps, and Penalties
June 28, 2026
If you witness an animal being harmed, starved, or abandoned in Indiana, you have the power — and in some cases the legal duty — to do something about it. Indiana state law prohibits cruelty, abandonment, and neglect of animals, and the state’s enforcement system relies on residents, professionals, and local agencies working together to protect animals from abuse.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about animal cruelty reporting in Indiana: what the law considers cruelty, who can and must report it, how to file a report, what investigators do next, and what penalties abusers face. Indiana also recently strengthened its cruelty laws with new felony provisions taking effect July 1, 2026 — so the stakes for abusers are higher than ever.
What Counts as Animal Cruelty in Indiana
Indiana law covers a broad range of harmful conduct toward animals. Indiana law recognizes several distinct categories of cruelty, each treated as its own offense: physical abuse (beating, tormenting, injuring, or otherwise harming a vertebrate animal), torture or mutilation (a standalone, automatic felony), abandonment or neglect (leaving a vertebrate animal without adequate care), animal fighting (purchasing, possessing, promoting, or attending animal fighting contests), killing another person’s domestic animal without the owner’s consent, cruelty to law enforcement or service animals, bestiality, and domestic violence animal cruelty (killing an animal to threaten or coerce a family member).
Neglect is one of the most common forms of cruelty reported in Indiana. Under Indiana Code, a person who has a vertebrate animal in their custody and recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects that animal commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor. This means failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care can result in criminal charges.
Physical abuse carries its own charge. A person who knowingly or intentionally abuses a vertebrate animal commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor. The offense becomes a Level 6 felony if the person has a previous, unrelated conviction under the same section, or if the person committed the offense with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize a family or household member.
Torture and mutilation are treated even more seriously. A person who knowingly or intentionally tortures or mutilates a vertebrate animal commits a Level 6 felony. Unlike general abuse, there is no misdemeanor starting point for torture or mutilation — the charge is a felony from the outset.
Indiana also has a specific statute addressing the intersection of domestic violence and animal cruelty. Indiana statute IC 35-46-3-12.5, called “Domestic violence animal cruelty,” makes it a Level 6 felony for a person who knowingly or intentionally kills a vertebrate animal with the intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize a family or household member.
Animal fighting is addressed separately from abuse and neglect. A person who knowingly or intentionally purchases or possesses an animal for the purpose of using the animal in an animal fighting contest commits a Level 6 felony. Even attending a fighting contest is a criminal offense. For a deeper look at Indiana’s cruelty statutes, see our overview of animal cruelty laws in Indiana.
Important Note: Indiana’s cruelty statutes apply to vertebrate animals. The term “animal” as used in IC 35-46-3 does not include human beings, and certain agricultural, hunting, and research activities are recognized as lawful exemptions under state law.
Who Can Report Animal Cruelty in Indiana
Any person who witnesses or suspects animal cruelty in Indiana can file a report — there is no requirement that you be a professional, a property owner, or directly involved in the situation. It is your responsibility to report animal cruelty of any kind if you see it or know of it happening. Reports can also be made anonymously in most jurisdictions.
If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected — which includes not receiving adequate care or shelter — do not stay silent. Contact your local law enforcement agency to report your concerns, which can be done anonymously.
Members of the public are not expected to intervene directly or confront an abuser. Your role is to document what you observe and pass that information to the appropriate agency. The more detail you can provide — location, description of the animal, description of the person responsible, and any photographic evidence — the more useful your report will be to investigators.
Indiana’s new law, House Bill 1165 (effective July 1, 2026), also removes criminal and civil liability for people who break domestic animals out of locked vehicles when they believe the animal is in imminent danger, provided they follow specific steps. Those steps include calling 911 before entering the vehicle and remaining with the animal until first responders arrive.
Who Is Required to Report Animal Cruelty in Indiana
While any member of the public may report suspected cruelty, certain professionals in Indiana carry a legal obligation to do so. Indiana state law requires certain individuals and entities to report suspected cases of animal cruelty or neglect, including veterinarians, animal control officers, and law enforcement officers.
Veterinarians occupy a particularly important role. When a client brings in an animal with injuries consistent with abuse, a licensed vet is expected to report that suspicion to the appropriate authority. This requirement exists because veterinarians are often the first professionals to see signs of ongoing abuse that an owner may try to conceal.
Animal control officers and law enforcement personnel are also mandatory reporters by virtue of their professional roles. Enforcement of Indiana’s neglect and abuse law for small companion animals falls to the jurisdiction of local animal control or law enforcement agencies. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) does not have leading authority in these situations, except for licensed commercial dog breeding operations.
If you are a professional who works with animals — such as a shelter worker, pet groomer, or boarding facility operator — check with your employer and your county’s animal control agency about any local mandatory reporting requirements that may apply to your role beyond state minimums.
Key Insight: Failure to report suspected animal cruelty when you are legally required to do so can itself be a misdemeanor offense under Indiana law. Professionals who work with animals should be familiar with their reporting obligations.
How to Report Animal Cruelty in Indiana
The right agency to contact depends on where you are in Indiana and what type of animal is involved. Indiana does not have a single statewide animal cruelty hotline, so reports are handled at the local level.
For companion animals (dogs, cats, and pets):
To report suspected abuse and/or neglect, contact your local animal control agency. If your county or city does not have an animal control agency, contact local law enforcement through the sheriff’s department for assistance. Often, animal control is a part of the sheriff’s department.
For livestock, horses, and poultry:
Animal welfare concerns involving livestock, horses, and poultry should be reported to local animal control and/or law enforcement agencies. Livestock, horse, and poultry concerns may also be reported to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). Cruelty cases involving livestock, horses, and poultry can be reported to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) at 877-747-3038.
For emergencies and active abuse:
If you witness animal cruelty in progress and believe an animal’s life is in immediate danger, call 911. This includes animals being abandoned, tortured, killed, or beaten.
In Marion County (Indianapolis):
Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) is the only organization in the city with animal law enforcement authority. If you believe an animal protection law is being violated, the best action is to report it to Indianapolis Animal Care Services. You can reach IACS during regular business hours by calling the Mayor’s Action Center at (317) 327-4622. For needs on weekends, after hours, or holidays, citizens can call the police non-emergency line at (317) 327-3811.
The following steps apply regardless of which agency you contact:
- Write down the exact address or location where you observed the animal.
- Note the date, time, and a description of what you witnessed.
- Photograph or video the situation if you can do so safely and without trespassing.
- Record any identifying information about the person responsible, if known.
- Describe the animal — species, breed, color, visible injuries, and condition.
- Contact your local animal control agency or sheriff’s department and provide all of this information.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure which agency covers your area, start by calling your county sheriff’s non-emergency line. They can direct you to the correct animal control contact or handle the report themselves if no local agency exists.
For dog fighting specifically, you can contact Canine Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS to report dog fighting information.
Indiana’s reporting system can vary significantly by county. You can also compare how neighboring states handle reporting by reading about animal cruelty laws in Ohio or animal cruelty laws in Illinois.
What Happens After You Report in Indiana
Once you file a report, the process moves into the hands of local authorities. The investigation process begins when someone reports suspected animal cruelty to their local law enforcement agency or animal control office. Officers will then conduct an investigation, which may involve collecting evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records. If there is enough evidence to support charges of animal cruelty, a prosecutor will bring forward criminal charges against the individual responsible for the abuse.
During an investigation, officers may take custody of the animal. Any law enforcement officer or any other person having authority to impound animals who has probable cause to believe there has been a violation of the animal cruelty chapter may take custody of the animal involved. A court may permanently confiscate animals that are abused or neglected.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health may become involved if law enforcement requests their expertise. Upon their request, BOAH will assist local animal control or law enforcement in assessing animals and their living conditions. BOAH will also evaluate the condition of the animals when requested by the court if charges are filed under the animal cruelty law (IC 35-46-3).
If the animal is impounded, the owner has a limited window to respond. The owner of an animal that has been impounded may prevent disposition of the animal by the impound agency by posting, not later than ten business days after the animal has been impounded, a bond with the court in an amount sufficient to provide for the reasonable expenses of the animal’s care and keeping for at least thirty days, beginning from the date the animal was impounded.
After a conviction, courts have broad authority over the disposition of animals and the offender’s future access to them. A court may impose an order terminating or imposing conditions on the person’s right to possession, title, custody, or care of an animal that was involved in the offense, or any other animal in the custody or care of the person. Animals removed from an abuser’s care may be awarded to a humane society or other animal welfare organization.
If you are concerned about what happens to animals in neighboring states, you can also review animal cruelty laws in Michigan and animal cruelty laws in Pennsylvania for comparison.
Penalties for Animal Cruelty in Indiana
Indiana’s penalties for animal cruelty range from misdemeanor fines to felony prison sentences, depending on the nature of the offense, whether the offender has prior convictions, and other aggravating factors. A significant update to the penalty structure took effect July 1, 2026, under House Enrolled Act 1165, now Public Law 80.
The base penalty structure under Indiana law is as follows:
| Offense Level | Maximum Jail/Prison Time | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days | Up to $1,000 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 365 days | Up to $5,000 |
| Level 6 Felony | 6 months to 2.5 years (advisory: 1 year) | Up to $10,000 |
| Level 5 Felony | 1 to 6 years (advisory: 3 years) | Up to $10,000 |
A Class B misdemeanor carries up to 180 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines; a Class A misdemeanor carries up to 365 days in jail and up to $5,000 in fines; and a Level 6 felony carries between six months and two and a half years in prison, with an advisory sentence of one year, and up to $10,000 in fines.
Under the new House Bill 1165, Indiana significantly expanded the circumstances under which cruelty charges can reach felony level. Under House Enrolled Act 1165, repeat animal abusers can be charged with a Level 6 felony, and in some cases first-time offenders can also be charged with a Level 6 felony depending on the situation. The law considers whether a minor was present, the severity of the abuse or neglect, and hoarding circumstances.
When the new law took effect on July 1, 2026, certain acts of cruelty toward animals can now be charged as a Level 6 felony even if the suspect has no prior offenses. That change gives prosecutors more flexibility when dealing with particularly violent or disturbing cases involving pets or other domestic animals.
Killing a law enforcement animal now carries an even harsher penalty. House Bill 1165 makes killing a law enforcement animal a Level 5 felony. Police dogs and other service animals are often used in dangerous situations alongside officers, and lawmakers say the stronger penalty reflects the important role they play in public safety.
Penalties extend well beyond fines and incarceration. Beyond the immediate penalties of jail or prison time and fines, a conviction for animal cruelty results in a permanent criminal record, which can affect employment opportunities, housing applications, and other aspects of daily life. Those convicted of animal cruelty in Indiana as a felony would also be stripped of certain civil rights, such as the ability to vote and possess or carry a firearm.
Courts are also required to consider counseling as part of sentencing. Indiana courts are required to consider psychological or behavioral counseling as part of sentencing for certain animal cruelty offenses. In some cases, individuals may be placed on probation requiring compliance with specific conditions set by the court. Courts may also mandate community service as part of the sentencing.
Animal ownership restrictions are another common consequence. Individuals who have been convicted of animal cruelty in Indiana may face restrictions on owning or caring for animals. Depending on the severity of the offense, a court may impose a ban on owning any animals for a specific period of time or for life.
To see how Indiana’s penalties compare with other states, explore our guides on animal cruelty laws in Tennessee, animal cruelty laws in Georgia, animal cruelty laws in North Carolina, and animal cruelty laws in Missouri.
Take Action for Indiana’s Animals
Reporting animal cruelty in Indiana is straightforward once you know the right agency to contact. Start with your local animal control office or sheriff’s department, call 911 for active emergencies, and reach out to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at 877-747-3038 for livestock and poultry concerns. Document what you observe, provide as much detail as possible, and let trained officers take it from there.
Indiana’s legal framework — now strengthened by House Enrolled Act 1165 — gives prosecutors real tools to hold abusers accountable, from misdemeanor charges all the way to felony convictions. Every report filed is a step toward better outcomes for animals across the state.
If you want to learn more about Indiana’s broader animal protection landscape, read our articles on emotional support animal laws in Indiana, endangered animals in Indiana, and venomous animals in Indiana. For a broader view of cruelty laws across the country, see our guides on animal cruelty laws in New York, animal cruelty laws in Texas, and animal cruelty laws in California.