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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5533 (2026)

 Cruelty to animal.

✓ current as of May 2026
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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 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022).
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In Re: Private Crim. Complaint, 271 A.3d 516 (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 (Pa. Super. Ct. 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 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2022). · cites it 2× “(vi) Cruelty to animals under 18 Pa. C.S. §5533 (relating to cruelty to animal).”
Com. v. Ruggiano, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 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. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Tammy R.A. Little d/b/a Creature Comforts Rehab. Ranch v. Dept. of Agric., Bureau of Dog Law Enf't (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 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 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 (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 (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.”
Com. v. Ruggiano, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 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. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2022). “Ann, § 5534(a)(Q), 6 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. §§ 5532(a)(2), (a)(3).”
Tammy R.A. Little d/b/a Creature Comforts Rehab. Ranch v. Dept. of Agric., Bureau of Dog Law Enf't (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 (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 (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.”
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