Oregon Code § 167.320·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Animal
abuse in the first degree.
(1) A person commits the crime of animal abuse in the first degree if, except
as otherwise authorized by law, the person recklessly causes serious physical
injury or death to an animal.
(2) Any practice
of good animal husbandry is not a violation of this section.
(3) Animal abuse
in the first degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
(4)
Notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, animal abuse in the first
degree is a Class C felony if:
(a) The person
committing the animal abuse has previously been convicted of one or more of the
following offenses:
(A) Any offense
under ORS 163.160, 163.165, 163.175, 163.185 or 163.187 or the equivalent laws
of another jurisdiction, if the offense involved domestic violence as defined
in ORS 135.230 or the offense was committed against a minor child; or
(B) Any offense
under this section or ORS 167.322, or the equivalent laws of another
jurisdiction; or
(b) The person
knowingly commits the animal abuse in the immediate presence of a minor child.
For purposes of this paragraph, a minor child is in the immediate presence of
animal abuse if the abuse is seen or directly perceived in any other manner by
the minor child.
(5) When animal
abuse in the first degree is a felony, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission
shall classify the offense as crime category 6 of the sentencing guidelines
grid.
(6)
Notwithstanding subsection (5) of this section, when animal abuse in the first
degree is a felony because of circumstances described in subsection (4)(b) of
this section, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission shall classify the offense
as crime category 7 of the sentencing guidelines grid. [1985 c.662 §3; 2001
c.926 §8; 2003 c.577 §8; 2013 c.719 §2; 2024 c.30 §3]
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Animal
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Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 167.320
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
Frequently Asked Questions
This section of Oregon law addresses Animal
. Read the full statute text above for details.
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