Being Cruel to Multiple Animals at the Same Time Can Result in Separate Charges for Each Animal

An Oklahoma man was charged with thirteen counts of cruelty to animals. The man argued that the maltreatment of his dogs all happened at this same time and location so it should be just one count instead of thirteen. After reviewing the case, Oklahoma’s Highest Court disagreed with the man and held that he could be charged with all thirteen counts. The Court noted that the dogs were separately chained or in separate pins. The Court then looked at the statute regarding Cruelty to Animals and determined that the intent of the statute was to protect the maltreatment of any particular animal. The man is now facing all thirteen Counts in Grant County.


For more details click the case below:
State v. Gilchrist, 2017 OK CR 25