{"data":{"id":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-36-21.2-03","jurisdiction":"us-nd","citation":"N.D. Cent. Code § 36-21.2-03","heading":"Animal cruelty - Definition - Exemptions - Penalty","body":"1.Any person that intentionally engages in animal cruelty is guilty of a class C felony.\n2.For purposes of this chapter, \"animal cruelty\" means:\na.Breaking an animal's bones;\nb.Causing the prolonged impairment of an animal's health;\nc.Mutilating an animal; or\nd.Physically torturing an animal.\n3.The following do not constitute violations of this section:\na.Any usual and customary practice in:\n(1)The production of food, feed, fiber, or ornament, including all aspects of the livestock industry;\n(2)The boarding, breeding, competition, exhibition, feeding, raising, showing, and training of animals;\n(3)The sport of rodeo;\n(4)Animal racing;\n(5)The use of animals by exhibitors licensed under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. 2131, et seq.;\n(6)Fishing, hunting, and trapping;\n(7)Wildlife management;\n(8)The culinary arts;\n(9)Lawful research and educational activities; and\n(10)Pest, vermin, predator, and animal damage control, including the disposition of wild animals that have entered structures or personal property;\nb.Any action taken by an individual against an animal that is attacking or is about to attack a human, a companion animal, or livestock;\nc.The humane or swift destruction of an animal for cause; and\nd.Services provided by or under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.","path":["Title 36 Livestock","Chapter 36-21.2 Treatment Of Animals"],"source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t36c21-2.pdf","current_through":"2026-07-31T11:12:02","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T21:04:14Z","sha256":"1d1668253d5bdd9223dafbfbcd693bad5ab2b3c00cec0175b098871ee17dfa4c","source_id":"us-nd","stale":true,"prev":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-36-21.2-02","next":"us-nd/n.d.-cent.-code-36-21.2-04"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}