1. A person commits the offense of animal abuse if he or she: (1) Intentionally or purposely kills an animal in any manner not allowed by or expressly exempted from the provisions of sections 578.005 to 578.023 and 273.030 ; (2) Purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or (3) Having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care which results in substantial harm to the animal. 2. Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor, unless the defendant has previously been found guilty of animal abuse or the suffering involved in subdivision (2) of subsection 1 of this section is the result of torture or mutilation consciously inflicted while the animal was alive, in which case it is a class E felony.
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