Full Title Name:  Table of Enforcement Powers Granted to Humane Societies by State

AL ST § 3-1-13

AL ST § 3-1-29

May take charge of and provide care for any animal that is sick or disabled due to neglect or is being cruelly treated or abused

AR ST § 20-19-101

AR ST § 20-19-104

Level 1 and 2 humane officers may serve search warrants for a violation, but must provide prior notice to local law enforcement agencies

Level 1 and 2 humane officers:

• 20 hours of training in animal care, the focus of which shall be the identification of disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock
• 40 hours of training in the state humane laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer
• 40 hours of continuing education and training

Level 1: ongoing weapons training and range qualifications

Level 1 and 2 humane officers may use reasonable force necessary to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal

Level 1 officers are authorized to carry firearms.

May investigate cases

• May take charge of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated
• May take charge of and humanely destroy any abandoned, lost, strayed or homeless animal or animal unsuitable for adoption upon veterinarian certification or owner's written consent

FL ST § 828.03

FL ST § 828.073

Not specified

IL ST CH 510 § 70/9 - 70/12

• May impound animal(s) with authorization from Department of Agriculture
• May impound animal(s) and then notify Department in an emergency

Not specified

• May investigate a violation 
• May furnish the violator with a notice of violation and state what action is necessary to come into compliance with this Act

Same as police officers

File affidavits before a court charging the person violating the law with the violation (if directed by the president of the humane society)

• May inspect, care for or treat animal(s)
• May place animal(s) in the care of a humane society or veterinarian for treatment, boarding or other care
• May file a sworn complaint against perpetrator of cruelty to animals
  
  

May search the premises pursuant to search warrant

May remove animal if:

• Cruelty is being practiced towards animal
• Animal is bruised, wounded, crippled, abrased, sick, or diseased
  
  

MD CRIM LAW § 10-609

MD CRIM LAW § 10-615

MD CRIM LAW § 10-616

MA ST 22C § 57

MA ST 272 § 88

MA ST 272 § 89

May take possession of animals used for animal-fighting

• May arrest and detain any person violating any law for the prevention of cruelty to animals
• May arrest all persons on the premises where animal-fighting occurs or where such animals are kept without a warrant
  
  

• May, without a warrant, enter any premises used for animal- fighting
• May take possession of all paraphernalia, implements, or equipment used for animal-fighting

MCL § 750.54

MCL § 750.55

May arrest any person

• engaged in animal cruelty
• aiding or abetting animal cruelty
  
  

• Have all the powers of a sheriff of the county to enforce animal cruelty laws
• Shall seize every article or instrument designed or adapted to torture or inflict wounds upon any animal or to aid in the fighting or baiting of any animal

MN ST § 343.01

MN ST § 343.06

MN ST § 343.12

• Take possession of any animals that have been cruelly treated, and
• Deliver them to the proper officers for custody and care

Must have training and experience in activities relating to prevention of cruelty to animals or enforcement of laws relating to cruelty to animals

• Assist in the enforcement of  laws for the prevention of wrongs to animals
• Investigate any alleged violation of the law relative to cruelty to animals

MS ST § 97-41-2

NV ST § 574.040

NV ST § 574.055

• May provide cruelly-treated animal with shelter and care
• May destroy animal in a humane manner (with written permission from owner)
  
  

NH ST § 105:18

NH ST § 644:8

Arresting officer may confiscate cruelly-treated animal

May take into temporary protective custody any animal when there is

• probable cause to believe that it has been or is being abused or neglected,
• clear and imminent danger to the animal's health or life, and
• not sufficient time to obtain a court order
  
  

NJ ST § 4:22-11.1

NJ ST § 4:22-11.7

NJ ST § 4:22-11.8

NJ ST § 4:22-11.10

NJ ST § 4:22-11.11

Must complete firearms training and courses in

• the law, procedures, and enforcement methods and techniques of investigation, arrest, and search and seizure, in connection with violations of animal cruelty laws and ordinances;
• information and procedures related to animals, including animal behavior and traits and evaluation of animals at a crime scene;
• methods to identify and document animal abuse, neglect, and distress; and
• investigation of animal fighting
  
  

• May enforce all laws and ordinances enacted for the protection of animals
• May investigate alleged acts of cruelty to animals
• May issue summons
• May carry a firearm
  
  

N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 117

N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 353-d

N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 371-375

N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 2.10

May serve a warrant to enter and search a place where animal cruelty is alleged by complaint

• any lost, strayed, homeless or abandoned animal found in any street, road or other public place
• any animal on any premises, which for more than 12 hours has been kept in a crowded or unhealthy condition or not properly cared for or without necessary sustenance, food or drink (with a warrant)
• animals used for animal fighting
• an animal from a vehicle if the animal is in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury due to exposure to extreme heat or cold

• May prevent any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence
• May cause any animal found abandoned and not properly cared for, or any lost, strayed, homeless or unwanted animal to be humanely destroyed (with veterinarian certification or owner consent)
• May issue an appearance ticket and summons
  
  

N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 19A-45 - 19A-49

May forcibly enter any premises or vehicle to execute order if s/he

• reasonably believes that the premises or vehicle is unoccupied by any person
• that the animal is on the premises or in the vehicle, and
• accompanied by a law-enforcement officer
  
  

Must attend annually a 6 hour course in the investigation of complaints relating to the care and treatment of animals

ND ST § 36-21.1-06

ND ST § 36-21.1-12

ND ST § 36-21.1-13

May take custody of and care for any animal

• unjustifiably exposed to cold or inclement weather
• not properly fed and watered
• any animal found abandoned
  
  

• May care for the animal until it is redeemed by the owner
• May deliver the animal to another person or facility to be sheltered, cared for, and furnished suitable food and drink
  
  

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.06

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.08

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1717.09

• May arrest any person violating a law protecting persons or animals or preventing acts of cruelty thereto
• May require the sheriff of any county, the constable of any township, the marshal or a policeman of any municipal corporation, or any agent of such a society, to arrest any person found violating the laws in relation to cruelty to persons or animals

Minimum of 20 hours of training in investigation and prosecution of cruelty to and neglect of animals, including animal husbandry practices

• May interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty to animals in his presence
• May use such force as is necessary to prevent act of cruelty
• May summon to his aid any bystanders
  
  

Or. Rev. Stat. § 686.450

Or. Rev. Stat. § 686.460

• investigate reports of suspected aggravated animal abuse
• process case in  same manner as any other criminal investigation
  
  

PA ST 22 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701 - 3718

18 Pa.C.S. § 5511

May search any building or enclosure in which any violation is occurring or has occurred pursuant to search warrant

• Pennsylvania cruelty to animal laws
• Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Care and treatment of animals
• Proper execution of search warrants
• Proper search and seizure practices
• Animal husbandry practices constituting normal agricultural operation.
• Practices accepted in the agricultural industry in the raising, keeping and production of agricultural animals
• Characteristics of agricultural animals likely evidencing care that is in violation of the cruelty to animal laws
• Proper care and handling of agricultural animals pursuant to enforcement of the cruelty to animals laws
• Treatments administered and research conducted during the normal scope of veterinarian practices

• Have same powers to initiate criminal proceedings as police officers
• May provide care to seized animal
• May provide for humane destruction of disabled, injured or diseased animal that has been seized and is beyond reasonable hope of recovery
• May carry a firearm if s/he holds a current and valid certification in the use and handling of firearms
  
  

May take charge of any animal found abandoned or neglected, or is aged, maimed, disabled, lame, sick, diseased, injured, unfit for the labor it is performing, or cruelly treated

S.C. Code Ann. § 47-1-120

• May seize an animal preceding an arrest
• May take charge of animal and deposit animal in a safe place of custody or deliver the animal into the possession of the police or sheriff when a person is arrested
• may move for an order to take custody of any animal found neglected or cruelly treated
  
  

S.D. Codified Laws § 40-1-24

S.D. Codified Laws § 40-1-28

S.D. Codified Laws § 40-1-29

S.D. Codified Laws § 40-1-37

S.D. Codified Laws § 40-2-6 - 40-2-9

• May enter, search, and investigate premises where dangerous animal kept
• May execute search warrant when accompanied by law enforcement officer

• May use all necessary means to control a dangerous animal
• May carry protective devices, other than firearms, for personal protection
• May take testimony from owner of dangerous animal and witnesses
• May use weapons, tranquilizing agents, or similar items in controlling dangerous animals, impounding animals, or handling animal problems
• May issue citations to offenders for misdemeanor and felony violations
• May prepare affidavits in support of search warrants
  
  

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-207

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-210

• May cause adequate veterinary treatment, shelter or nourishment to be furnished to an at-large animal
• May interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in that person's presence
• May destroy any animal found abandoned or not properly cared for, appearing to be injured or diseased past humane recovery
  
  

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, § 351

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, § 353

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, § 354

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, § 364

Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. Crimes and Criminal Procedure, § 386

• May apply for a search warrant to enter premises where animal is kept
• A veterinarian must accompany humane officer during execution of  search warrant
  
  

• May seize an animal being cruelly treated (pursuant to search warrant)
• May seize an animal without a warrant If animal's life is in jeopardy and immediate action is required to protect the animal's health or safety
• May use reasonable force to remove animal from a motor vehicle if animal's life or safety is endangered
• May accept animals voluntarily surrendered by the owner
  
  

• Issue civil citations
• Inspect the care and condition of any animal permitted by the court to remain in the care, custody, or possession of offender
• May arrange for euthanasia of a severely injured, diseased, or suffering animal upon the recommendation of a veterinarian
• May seize any equipment associated with animal-fighting
  
  
  

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6557

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6558

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6559

Va. Code Ann. § 3.2-6568

Must complete a basic animal control course

May investigate violations of laws and ordinances regarding

• care and treatment of animals 
• disposal of dead animals
  
  

Wash. Rev. Code § 16.52.011

Wash. Rev. Code § 16.52.015

Wash. Rev. Code § 16.52.020

Wash. Rev. Code § 16.52.025

Wash. Rev. Code § 16.52.085

May execute search warrants and seize evidence when accompanied by law enforcement officers

May cause a law enforcement officer to arrest and take into custody any person in violation

• May enforce animal-cruelty provisions
• May issue citations to offenders for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor violations
• May make an oral complaint to a prosecuting attorney or a law enforcement officer to initiate arrest
• May carry nonfirearm protective devices for personal protection
• May prepare affidavits in support of search warrants