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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5533 (2026)

 Cruelty to animal.

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§ 5533.  Cruelty to animal.

(a)  Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly illtreats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.

(b)  Grading.--

(1)  Except as set forth in paragraph (2), a violation of this section is a summary offense.

(2)  If the violation causes bodily injury to the animal or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree.

 

Cross References.  Section 5533 is referred to in sections 5534, 5542, 5560, 9122.3 of this title; section 5329 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); section 6138 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 2021–2025 · leading case: In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
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In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). · cites it 10× “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). · cites it 5× “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
S.K. Maxwell v. PPB, No. 16 C.D. 2022 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Nov. 22, 2022). · cites it 2× “(vi) Cruelty to animals under 18 Pa. C.S. §5533 (relating to cruelty to animal).”
Com. v. Ruggiano, J., No. 1228 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 12, 2024). · cites it 2× “§ 5532(a)(3) and 17 violations of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a), Cruelty to Animals.”
Adoption of M.H., Appeal of: K.W., 277 A.3d 1157 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Tammy R.A. Little v. Dept. of Agric., 263 A.3d 57 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a). Both Sections 5532(b) and 5533(b) provide that unless the violation causes bodily injury or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, the violation is a summary offense.”
M. Watson v. PBPP, No. 451 M.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Sept. 25, 2025). “§ 5505 (relating to public drunkenness and similar misconduct); (vi) Cruelty to animals under Section 5533 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 (relating to cruelty to animals); (vii) Aiding or abetting a minor to commit truancy under Section 6301 of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5533(a): 5 cases
In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
Com. v. Ruggiano, J., No. 1228 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 12, 2024). “§ 5532(a)(3) and 17 violations of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a), Cruelty to Animals.”
Adoption of M.H., Appeal of: K.W., 277 A.3d 1157 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Tammy R.A. Little v. Dept. of Agric., 263 A.3d 57 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2021). “” 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a). Both Sections 5532(b) and 5533(b) provide that unless the violation causes bodily injury or places the animal at imminent risk of serious bodily injury, the violation is a summary offense.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5533(b): 2 cases
In re Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516, 2022 PA Super 37 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
In re Private Crim. Complaint, No. 374 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Feb. 8, 2022). “Additionally, we have found nothing to support a violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533 — Cruelty to Animal, which requires that a person “intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treats, overloads, beats, abandons or abuses an animal.”
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