{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-525.125","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 525.125","heading":"Cruelty to animals in the first degree.","body":"(1) As used in this section:\n(a) \"Dog\" means a domesticated canid of the genus canis lupus familiaris; and\n(b) \"Dog fight\" or \"dog fighting\" means any event that involves a fight conducted\nor to be conducted between at least two (2) dogs for purposes of sport,\nwagering, or entertainment, except that the term \"dog fight\" or \"dog fighting\"\nshall not be deemed to include any activity the purpose of which involves the\nuse of one (1) or more dogs in hunting or taking another animal.\n(2) The following persons are guilty of cruelty to animals in the first degree:\n(a) Whenever a dog is knowingly caused to dog fight for pleasure or profit:\n1. The owner of the dog;\n2. The owner of the property on which the fight is conducted if the owner\nknows of the dog fight; and\n3. Anyone who participates in the organization of the dog fight; and\n(b) Any person who knowingly owns, possesses, keeps, trains, sells, or otherwise\ntransfers a dog for the purpose of dog fighting.\n(3) Activities of dogs engaged in hunting, field trials, dog training, and other activities\nauthorized either by a hunting license or by the Department of Fish and Wildlife\nResources shall not constitute a violation of this section.\n(4) Activities of dogs engaged in working or guarding livestock shall not constitute a\nviolation of this section.\n(5) Cruelty to animals in the first degree is a Class D felony.","path":["KRS Chapter 525"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=45070","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T21:00:04Z","sha256":"9c4031505c6fad5c731399770e0c3b7498f6d5cc91ada77dbaf1430e12fa3cf9","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-525.120","next":"us-ky/krs-525.130"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}