EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEVV) — Local officials are issuing a stern warning to pet owners as the city sees a rise in reported animal abandonment cases.
Missy Mosby with Evansville Animal Care & Control stated Tuesday that “far too many” dogs are being dumped in the area. Under Indiana State Law (IC 35-46-3-7), abandoning or neglecting a vertebrate animal intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly is a Class A misdemeanor.
The legal consequences can escalate to a Level 6 felony if the individual has a prior conviction for animal cruelty or neglect. Officials clarified that domestic pets do not fall under “survival” exemptions, especially when left in unfamiliar areas where they face risks of starvation, exposure, and death…