Indiana's Strengthened Animal-Cruelty Law Provides New Tools to Prosecute Serious Neglect

A recent Dearborn County prosecution illustrates the challenges presented by the former law and the importance of the new provisions.

Kari Hawkins. Photo provided.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - Changes to Indiana’s animal-cruelty laws that took effect July 1, 2026, give prosecutors clearer and stronger tools to hold individuals accountable when neglect results in an animal’s death or devastating injury.

Under the previous law, abandoning or neglecting an animal was generally a Class A misdemeanor unless the defendant had a qualifying prior conviction. The amended statute now allows abandonment or neglect to be charged as a Level 6 felony when it results in an animal’s death, serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, or the permanent or prolonged loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ.

The new law also expressly includes knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly starving or dehydrating an animal within the definition of animal torture. In addition, an animal’s death or permanent impairment may now be considered a statutory aggravating circumstance when a court determines the appropriate sentence.

“These changes recognize the seriousness of prolonged animal neglect and the devastating consequences it can cause,” Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said. “Animals depend entirely upon their owners for food, water, shelter, and medical care. When that responsibility is deliberately or recklessly ignored, the law must provide consequences.”

A recent Dearborn County prosecution illustrates both the challenges presented by the former law and the importance of the new provisions.

In State of Indiana v. Kari L. Hawkins, investigators discovered four deceased dogs in various stages of decomposition and one living German Shepherd that was severely emaciated at Hawkins’ property on State Road 350 near Moores Hill.

The investigation began on October 16, 2025, when the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of neglected dogs. The property appeared to have been abandoned for months. Investigators detected a strong odor of decomposition and observed trash and animal feces throughout the residence.

After obtaining a search warrant, deputies and Dearborn County Animal Control officers entered the property and discovered the five dogs. Investigators found no fresh water or accessible food for the animals. The surviving dog was also infected with Lyme disease and ehrlichia.

A veterinarian with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health reviewed the evidence and determined that the surviving dog’s poor physical condition would have been apparent to a reasonable person. The veterinarian further concluded that the failure to provide basic care placed all five dogs at immediate risk and that the conditions had existed for weeks or months.

Hawkins was charged on November 7, 2025, with numerous counts of felonies and misdemeanors.

Because the offenses occurred before the strengthened law took effect, the new provisions could not be applied to Hawkins. Despite the limitations of the law then in effect, prosecutors were able to secure felony convictions by establishing that Hawkins’ conduct constituted the torture or mutilation of the animals.

Hawkins pleaded guilty to five Level 6 felony counts of Torturing or Mutilating a Vertebrate Animal. On April 10, 2026, Judge Jonathan N. Cleary determined her sentence and gave her to 910 days on each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. No portion of the sentence was suspended. The 910-day executed sentence was the maximum permitted under the plea agreement.

The remaining misdemeanor counts were dismissed under the agreement. Because Hawkins is an Indiana registered nurse, the Court also directed that notice of her felony convictions and sentence be provided to the Indiana State Board of Nursing and her employer.

“The Hawkins case demonstrates why these changes were necessary,” Deddens said. “Although we were able to obtain five felony convictions under the former law, the new statute more directly addresses cases in which prolonged neglect, starvation, or dehydration causes an animal’s death or serious injury.”