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Is there a law against attacking cats on Facebook

“Facebook article about cat being attacked and no law against it”
False
Confidence: High Checked on March 10, 2026

Summary

Animal cruelty statutes exist nationwide, criminalizing the killing or harming of cats whether owned, stray, or unowned. State laws such as Maine’s cruelty to animals statute and Virginia’s provisions, along with nationwide anti‑cruelty regulations, make it illegal to attack a cat. The claim that no law exists is inaccurate.

Recheck this fact Runs a fresh check with up-to-date sources

Sources 80 searched

legislature.maine.gov
  • Title 17, §1031: Cruelty to animals

    A. Kills or attempts to kill any animal belonging to another person without the consent of the owner or without legal privilege. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; [PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. I, §13 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF).] · A-1. Violates paragraph A and, at the ...

courtnewsohio.gov
  • Court Considers Penalty for Harming Stray Cats Under Evolving Animal Cruelty Laws

    For the first time in state history, cruelty to an animal could be a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Under the 2003 version of the law, a felony could only be charged for a second or subsequent offense, a brief from the David Brauff Animal Law Center at Cleveland State University College of Law explained.

  • Felony Cruelty Law Applies to Harming Stray Dogs and Cats

    The law’s definition of “companion animal” includes “any dog or cat, regardless of where it is kept.” The Eighth District determined “kept” meant to “take care of” and the felony-level animal cruelty law applied to a cat or dog receiving care.

law.lis.virginia.gov
  • Code of Virginia Code - Article 9. Cruelty to Animals

    F. Any person who (i) tortures, ... by a dog so as to cause injury or death, the owner of the injured dog or cat may use all reasonable and necessary force against the dog at the time of the attack to protect his dog or cat....

legifrance.gouv.fr
politifact.com
bbc.com
latribune.fr
  • Latribune

    OPINION. Une proposition de loi visant à lutter contre les contenus à caractère haineux sur internet va être examinée par le parlement. Un problème complexe qui ne sera pas résolu uniquement par le recours à l'Intelligence artificielle (IA).

alleycat.org
chatons.org

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