Statutes

Statute by category Citationsort descending Summary
TN - Dangerous Animals - § 39-17-101. Dangerous snakes or reptiles; handling T. C. A. § 39-17-101 This Tennessee law makes it an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a poisonous or dangerous snake or reptile in a manner that endangers the life or health of any person. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor.
TN - Dog, dangerous, felon - § 39-17-1363. Violent felony conviction; custody or control of dogs; application T. C. A. § 39-17-1363 Under this Tennessee law, it is an offense for any person convicted of a violent felony to knowingly own, possess, have custody or control of a potentially vicious dog or a vicious dog for a period of ten years after such person has been released from custody following completion of sentence. Additionally, it is an offense for any convicted violent felon to own or have custody of a dog that is not microchipped or spayed/neutered. This section shall only apply if a person's conviction for a violent felony occurs on or after July 1, 2010.
TN - State animal - § 4-1-337. Official state pet T. C. A. § 4-1-337 In 2014, Tennessee enacted a law that makes dogs and cats adopted from Tennessee animal shelters and rescues the official state pet.
TN - Dangerous dog - § 44-17-120. Death or serious injury; destruction of dogs T. C. A. § 44-17-120 This Tennessee statute provides that any dog which attacks a human and causes death or serious injury may be destroyed upon the order of the circuit court where the attack occurred. The owner shall be given notice that if he or she does not appear before the court within five days and show cause why the dog should not be destroyed, then the order shall issue and the dog shall be destroyed. This statute also allows certain counties to make ordinances to petition a general sessions court to provide for the disposition of dangerous dogs and/or dogs causing death or serious injury to humans or other animals.
TN - Ordinances - § 44-17-401. Use of electronic locating collars on dogs T. C. A. § 44-17-401 This Tennessee statute provides that no agency or entity of state or local government shall enact, adopt, promulgate, or enforce any law, ordinance, rule, regulation, or other policy which restricts or prevents the owner of any dog from using an electronic locating collar to protect such dog from loss.
TN - Pet Damages - § 44-17-403. Liability for death of pet; damages; exemptions T. C. A. § 44-17-403 This Tennessee statute provides that a pet owner may seek non-economic damages up to $5,000 for the death of his or her pet against the person who is liable for causing the death or injuries that led to the animal's death. The person causing the pet's death must have done so intentionally or, if negligently, the incident must have occurred either on the owner or pet caretaker's property or while in the control and supervision of the caretaker. These damages are not for the intentional infliction of emotional distress of the owner or other civil claim, but rather for the direct loss of "reasonably expected society, companionship, love and affection of the pet."
TN - Breeder -Part 7. Commercial Breeder Act T. C. A. § 44-17-701 - 715 (expired June 30, 2014) (Expired June 30, 2014). In 2009, Tennessee enacted its Commercial Breeder Act. The act defines a commercial breeder as means any person who possesses or maintains, under the person’s immediate control, twenty (20) or more unsterilized adult female dogs or cats in this state for the purpose of selling the offspring as companion animals. Commercial breeders must maintain and display licenses to operate in accordance with the act. Further, the act requires commercial breeders to keep on file at all times the number of dogs and cats in their possession and how many were sold during the reporting period. Inspections may occur under the act, but are not mandatory.
TN - Equine Activity Liability - Chapter 20. Equine Activities--Liability T. C. A. § 44-20-101 to 105 This act stipulates that an equine sponsor or equine professional, or any other person, including corporations and partnerships, are immune from liability for the death or injury of a participant, which resulted from the inherent risks of equine activities. However, there are exceptions to this rule: a person, corporation, or partnership will be held liable for injuries of an equine activity participant if he or she displays a willful and wanton or intentional disregard for the safety of the participant and if he or she fails to make reasonable and prudent efforts in ensuring the safety of the participant. In addition, a person will be held liable for the injury of an equine activity participant if he or she is injured on the land or at a facility due to a dangerous latent condition of which was known to the equine sponsor, professional or other person.
TN - Bovine - Chapter 21. Liability of Bovine Owners T. C. A. § 44-21-101 - 104 This chapter operates similarly to equine activity liability laws and provides that a bovine owner shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death of a person resulting from the inherent risks of bovine activities. The section also requires the posting of warning signs alerting visitors to bovine activities that the owner or operator is not liable.
TN - Ordinances - § 5-1-120. Dogs and cats; licenses, shelters and other animal control facilities T. C. A. § 5-1-120 This Tennessee statute outlines the broad police power counties have with respect to dog and cats. It provides that counties, by resolution of their respective legislative bodies, may license and regulate dogs and cats, establish and operate shelters and other animal control facilities, and regulate, capture, impound and dispose of stray dogs, stray cats and other stray animals.
TN - Disaster - Part 8. Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act of 2007 T. C. A. § 58-2-801 - 813 The Tennessee Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act applies to registered volunteer health practitioners who provide health services for a host entity during an emergency. Volunteer health practitioners are not liable for their acts or omissions in providing health services. Health services means treatment, care, advice, guidance, or provision of supplies related to the health or death of an animal or to animal populations.
TN - Veterinary - Chapter 12. Veterinarians. T. C. A. § 63-12-101 - 146; T. C. A. § 63-12-201 - 204 These are the state's veterinary practice laws. Among the provisions include licensing requirements, laws concerning the state veterinary board, veterinary records laws, and the laws governing disciplinary actions for impaired or incompetent practitioners.
TN - Liens, Veterinary - § 63-12-134. Liens and incumbrances. T. C. A. § 63-12-134 This statute specifically allow vets to hold an animal until a bill is paid for treatment, board or care of an animal.
TN - Rabies - Chapter 8. Rabies T. C. A. § 68-8-101 - 115 This chapter reflects the Tennessee Anti-Rabies Law. It is unlawful for any person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat six (6) months of age or older that has not been vaccinated against rabies as required by this chapter. Ferrets, certain livestock, hybrid animals and other animals may be vaccinated for rabies if a vaccine is legally available for that species.
TN - Licenses - § 68-8-107. Seizure; adoption; destruction. T. C. A. § 68-8-107 This Tennessee statute mandates that any dog found running at large may be seized by any peace officer and placed in an animal shelter in counties or cities where an animal shelter or pound is available. If the dog or cat is wearing a rabies vaccination tag or other identification, all reasonable effort shall be made to locate and notify the owners who shall be required to appear within five (5) days and redeem the animal by paying a pound fee as set by the city or county legislative body.
TN - Rabies - Chapter 8. Rabies. § 68-8-108. Transportation. T. C. A. § 68-8-108 This Tennessee statute provides that this chapter related to rabies shall not prohibit the transportation of dogs or cats in the state; provided, that the dogs or cats are securely confined or kept on a leash while being transported in the state.
TN - Impound - Rabies. § 68-8-109. Observation; confinement or quarantine. T. C. A. § 68-8-109 This Tennessee statute provides that if any animal has bitten any person, is suspected of having bitten any person or is for any reason suspected of being infected with rabies, the animal may be required to be placed under an observation period either by confinement or by quarantine for a period of time deemed necessary by the commissioner or rules of the department.
TN - Wildlife - Part 2. Wildlife Regulation and Protection T. C. A. § 70-4-201 - 211 These Tennessee statutes make it unlawful to barter, sell, transfer, or to purchase any wildlife without a hunting or fishing license. The unlawful importation, possession, or sale of skunks or red foxes is a Class C misdemeanor. The statutes also impose requirements on transport and storage of other wildlife.
TN - Hunting - Part 3. Hunter Protection Act. T. C. A. § 70-4-301 - 303 This section represents Tennessee's "Hunter Protection Act." The law makes it a Class C misdemeanor to interfere with the lawful taking of a wild animal by another with the intent to prevent the taking; disturb or engage in an activity that will tend to disturb a wild animal, with the intent to prevent the lawful taking; disturb a person engaged in lawful hunting with the intent to prevent the taking; enter or remain on land with intent to violate this section; fail to obey a peace officer's orders to desist from conduct in violation of this section; or use a drone with the intent to conduct video surveillance of private citizens who are lawfully hunting or fishing without obtaining the written consent of the persons being surveilled. A person affected by conduct in violation of this section may seek an injunction or recover damages, including punitive damages.
TN - Hunting, Internet - Part 5. Computer-Assisted Hunting from Remote Locations T. C. A. § 70-4-501 - 504 This set of Tennessee laws prohibits computer-assisted remote hunting or providing or operating facilities for computer-assisted remote hunting if the wildlife being hunted is located in this state. Computer-assisted remote hunting is defined as "the use of a computer or any other device, equipment or software, to control remotely the aiming and discharge of a rifle, shotgun, handgun, bow and arrow, cross-bow or any other implement to hunt wildlife."
TN - Endangered Species - Nongame and Endangered or Threatened Wildlife Species Conservation Act of 1974 T. C. A. § 70-8-101 to 112 These Tennessee statutes comprise the Tennessee Nongame and Endangered or Threatened Wildlife Species Conservation Act of 1974 and includes the legislative intent, definitions, and factors relevant to endangered species investigations. By statute, it is unlawful for any person to take, attempt to take, possess, transport, export, process, sell or offer for sale or ship nongame wildlife, or for any common or contract carrier knowingly to transport or receive for shipment nongame wildlife. Violation constitutes a Class B misdemeanor and incurs warrantless searches and seizure of the wildlife taken and the instrumentalities used in the taking.
TN - Dog - Consolidated Dog Laws T. C. A. §§ 44-8-408 - 413; §§ 44-17-101 - 601; T. C. A. § 5-1-120, § 6-54-135, § 39-14-205, § 39-14-213, § 44-14-104, § 70-4-103, § 70-4-112; § 70-4-118, § 70-4-122, § 70-2-214; § 4-1-343 These Tennessee statutes comprise the state's dog laws. Among the provisions include licensing requirements for companion animal dealers, laws concerning damage done by dogs, and the Tennessee Spay/Neuter Law.
TN - Exotic Pet - Part 4. Exotic Animals. T. C. A. §§ 70-4-401 - 418 This Tennessee chapter relates to the private possession of wildlife. It is unlawful for any person to possess, transport, import, export, buy, sell, barter, propagate or transfer any wildlife, whether indigenous to this state or not, except as provided by this part and rules and regulations promulgated by the Tennessee wildlife resources commission pursuant to this part. Additionally, no person shall possess Class I (all species inherently dangerous to humans such as wolves, bears, lions and poisonous snakes) or Class II (native species that are not listed in other classes) wildlife without having documentary evidence showing the name and address of the supplier of such wildlife and date of acquisition. In order to obtain a permit to possess Class I wildlife, a person must be 21, have at least 2 years of experience handling such animals (or take an approved written exam), have a full-time resident caretaker, and must have a plan for the quick and safe recapture of the wildlife, among other provisions. The annual permits and fees for personal possession of Class I wildlife are $150/animal or $1,000/facility.
Taiwan - Cruelty - Taiwan Animal Protection Law Taiwan Animal Protection Law

This law sets out the umbrella of animal issues for Taiwan. Much of it is so general that additional regulations are going to be required.

Taiwan - Wildlife - Taiwan Wildlife Conservation Act Taiwan Wildlife Conservation Act An act which aims to conserve wildlife, protect species diversity and maintain the balance of natural ecosystems
Tennessee Code: Article V: Cruelty to Animals Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 1668-1672 (1858) Tennessee's laws concerning cruelty to animals from 1858. The laws cover what qualifies as cruelty to animals to the punishment to be given a slave that is cruel to animals.
Tennessee Code 1858: Article VI: Killing Game, Poisoning Fish, Fire Hunting Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 1673-1676 (1858) Tennessee laws from 1858 concerning the hunting of game, poisoning of fish, and the use of fire to hunt. The law establishes the punishment for the above mentioned offenses.
TN - Initiative - Tennessee Hunting Rights Amendment (2010) Tennessee Hunting Rights Amendment (2010) (passed) The proposed amendment on the 2010 ballot provides for the personal right to hunt and fish subject to state laws, regulations, and existing property rights. The measure also states that "traditional manners and means" may be used to take non-threatened species. It passed with an overwhelming majority of the vote.
AU - Wildlife - Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1977 (NT) Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1977

An Act to make provision for and in relation to the establishment of Territory Parks and other Parks and Reserves and the study, protection, conservation and sustainable utilisation of wildlife.

Eastern Band of Cherokee - Natural resources - Sec. 14-10.10- Cutting timber, removing rock, trapping animals The Cherokee Code. Part II. Section 14. Article III. Sec. 14-10.10

This statute is intended to preserve natural resources and protect wild animals from any trapping conducted without the knowledge of a property owner or the Tribe. The language provides for both land owner through a tribal assignment or lease, as well as lands that are reserved and used exclusively by the Tribe. The language also restricts any person, firm, or corporation from engaging in this conduct without consent and knowledge from the land owner and/or the Tribe.

The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 The Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 Owners have two years to ensure all equines born before 30th June 2009 are chipped. Some wild and semi-wild equids are exempt. Non-compliant owners risk being fined.
Myanmar - Animal Welfare - Animal Health and Development Law The State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 13/93 This Myanmar Law, in English and Burmese, provides for livestock breeding, welfare, animal feed standards, the prevention and control of contagious diseases, inspections, trade, certificates and related fees, and the prevention of cruelty to animals.
IN - Wildlife - THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2002 THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2002, No. 16 of 2003

This law comprises India's Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002. According to the amended long title, it is "An Act to provide for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country. " The Amendment Act also establishes the National Board for Wild Life.

AU - Endangered/Threatened Species - Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (New South Wales) THREATENED SPECIES CONSERVATION ACT 1995

An Act to conserve threatened species, populations and ecological communities of animals and plants; to amend the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and certain other Acts; to repeal the Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act 1991; and for other purposes.

AU - Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (QLD) Threatened Species Protection Act 1995

The Nature Conservation Act 1992 is an act of the Parliament of Queensland that provides for the legislative protection of Queensland's threatened fauna and flora. As originally published, it provided for native animals and plants to be declared presumed extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare or common. In 2004 the act was amended to more closely align with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources categories: presumed extinct was changed to extinct in the wild and common was changed to least concern.

AU - Endangered/Threatened Species - Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 (TAS) Threatened Species Protection Act 1995

The Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 is an Act to provide for the protection and management of Tasmania’s threatened native flora and fauna, and to enable and promote the conservation of native flora and fauna. The Act provides Schedules of taxa that have different degrees of threatened status. It also establishes mechanisms for the listing and delisting of taxa.

ZW - Cruelty - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Title 19, Chapter 19:09

This law constitutes Zimbabwe's cruelty to animals act. Under the act, “animal” means: (a) any kind of domestic vertebrate animal; (b) any kind of wild vertebrate animal in captivity; (c) the young of any animal referred to above. The law prohibits the cruel beating, kicking, overriding, overdriving, overloading, or torturing of animals, among other things. Section 4 requires “knackers” (any person whose trade or business it is to kill any horse, mule, ass, bovine, sheep, goat or pig, the meat of which is primarily intended for animals) to comply with regulations. Section 5 deals with the control of pet shops and other places where animals are kept in captivity for trading purposes.

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. 3-4-9- Cruelty to Animals. Title III, Section 3-4-9 Under Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians code, cruelty to animals is a Class B offense. Any person who shall kill, torture, mistreat, mutilate, injure or abandon any animal shall be guilty of an offense under this section.
Brazil - Constitutional Provision - Animal TITLE Vlll, CHAP. VI, ART. 225

Article 8 of the Constitution provides for legal concern about animals.(See, VII. of Paragraph 1.) 

UT - Agriculture - Title 4 Utah Agriculture Code U.C.A. 1953 § 4-2-301 - 305; § 4-2-401 - 402; § 4-2-501 to 504; § 4-31-1 to 4-31-119 The following statutes detail penalities for violating of the agricultural code. They also contain animal disease control provisions and detail the organization of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
UT - License - § 10-8-65. Dogs--License and tax--Destruction, sale or other disposal U.C.A. 1953 § 10-8-65 This Utah statute, under the chapter relating the general powers of all cities, provides that cities may license, tax, regulate or prohibit the keeping of dogs, and authorize the destruction, sale or other disposal of the same when at large contrary to ordinance.
UT - Dog - Consolidated Dog Laws U.C.A. 1953 § 10-8-65; § 4-40-101 - 102; § 18-1-1 - 4; § 18-2-101; § 23A-12-204 - 205; § 23A-5-309 - 310; § 26B-7-210 - 211; § 26B-1-236; § 58-28-601 These Utah statutes comprise the state's dog laws. Among the provisions include municipal pound pet sterilization provisions, rabies control laws, hunting laws that impact dogs, and laws concerning injuries caused by dogs.
UT - Impound - Chapter 46. Animal Welfare Act. Part 1. General Provisions U.C.A. 1953 § 11-46-101 - 104 Under this act, animal control officers must hold stray animals in safe and humane custody for a minimum of 5 business days prior to making any final disposition of the animal. A stray animal may be euthanized prior to the completion of the 5-day period to prevent unnecessary suffering due to serious injury or disease.
UT - Sterilization - Animal Welfare Act. Part 2. Animal Shelter Pet Sterilization Act U.C.A. 1953 § 11-46-201 - 208 Under this Utah act, a shelter may not transfer an unsterilized animal for adoption unless the shelter has a written agreement in which the recipient agrees to have the animal sterilized and gives the shelter a sterilization deposit. If a recipient fails to comply with the agreement, the animal may be seized and impounded, and the recipient forfeits the deposit. A first violation may result in a civil penalty of $250.
UT - Cats - Chapter 46. Animal Welfare Act. Part 3. Community Cat Act U.C.A. 1953 § 11-46-301 to 304 A shelter may release a cat prior to the 5-day holding period to a sponsor operating a community cat program. Such a cat is exempt from licensing requirements and feeding bans.  Community cat sponsors or caretakers do not have custody of any cat, and sterilization and vaccination records must be kept for three years.
UT - Dog Bite - Title 18. Dogs. Chapter 1. Injuries by Dogs. U.C.A. 1953 § 18-1-1 to 4 This Utah statute provides that every person owning or keeping a dog shall be liable in damages for injury committed by such dog, and it shall not be necessary in any action brought therefor to allege or prove that such dog was of a vicious or mischievous disposition or that the owner or keeper thereof knew that it was vicious or mischievous. This does not apply to dogs used by law enforcement officials. In 2014, a provision for the use of arbitration in personal injury from dog bite cases was added.
UT - Breed - § 18-2-101. Regulation of dogs by a municipality U.C.A. 1953 § 18-2-101 This Utah law effective in 2015 prohibits a municipality from adopting breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs. Any breed-specific rule, regulation, policy, or ordinance regarding dogs is void.
UT - Wildlife - Title 23. Wildlife Resources Code of Utah U.C.A. 1953 § 23A-1-101 - 205 (formerly U.C.A. 1953 § 23-13-1 - 19) Under these Utah statutes, all wildlife is the property of the state unless held in private ownership, but it is illegal to hold protected wildlife in captivity, with exceptions, such as for furbearers.
UT - Invasive Species - Chapter 27. Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act U.C.A. 1953 § 23A-10-101 - 501 (formerly U.C.A. 1953 § 23-27-101 - 501) These statutes comprise the Utah Aquatic Invasive Species Interdiction Act. This Act makes it illegal to possess a Dreissena mussel, release one into a water body, or transport a conveyance or equipment that has been in an infested water without decontaminating it. A violation is an infraction, but a knowing or intentional violation is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
UT - Nuisance Animals - Chapter 18. Furbearers. U.C.A. 1953 § 23A-14-201 - 203 (formerly U.C.A. 1953 § 23-18-1 to 6) These Utah statutes require a furbearer license to take furbearers, except for red fox, striped skunk, or beavers that are doing damage to private property (with authorization). Fur dealers must have a fur dealer certificate of registration from the Division of Wildlife Resources.

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