Animal Torture Finally is a Felony in All 50 States

Animal Welfare

Jun 22

By Maria Petkovic

On May 11, 2026, Gov. Kim Reynolds of Iowa signed House File 2348 into law, raising torture of a companion animal to a Class D Felony on the first offense. Iowa is the 50th state to make this happen, following Mississippi who raised animal torture to an automatic felony in 2020.

Iowa legislation defines animal torture as “intentionally, willfully, and maliciously mutilates, burns, poisons, drowns, starves or causes intensive or prolonged pain or death to a companion animal, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same.”

Violations on the first offense are punishable with up to 5 years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,425. For those previously convicted of other animal-cruelty related offenses, the charge rises to a Class C Felony, meaning offenders may be subject to increased penalties.

Previously, animal abuse that resulted in injury was only classified as a serious misdemeanor, and an aggravated misdemeanor if it resulted in the death of the animal.

The Link Between Animal and Human Violence

In regards to the bill, Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledged “This is already the legal standard across the rest of the country, and it’s only common sense that we adopted here in Iowa,” additionally stating that “this is about cracking down on intentional, willful and malicious infliction of pain or prolonged death on innocent animals—horrible acts of violence that are evil in their own right and also certainly linked to the violent crimes against people.”

The link between animal and human violence was used as a major justification for the law. Sen. Mike Bousellot of Iowa used research by the FBI and National Sheriffs Association that supports animal torture’s connection with future violent crimes such as assault, sexual abuse, murder, and domestic violence.

The Impact

This is the step forward for national animal rights, as people in all 50 states can now be prosecuted for the torture of a compantion animal. Because of animal abuse’s connection to future human violence, this new legislation could potentially reduce instances of violence against humans. Ohio passed felony cruelty in 2016, but currently a bill in the Ohio legislature, S.B. 64, would enhance cruelty penalties.