NC S1334

Increases penalty for maliciously killing an animal by intentional deprivation of sustenance from Class A1 misdemeanor to Class H felony.

Increases penalty for maliciously torturing, mutilating, maiming, cruelly beating, disfiguring, poisoning, or killing an animal from Class I felony to Class H felony.

Exempts cockfighting penalties from these enhanced penalties, maintaining existing cockfighting provisions under G.S. 14-362.

Effective December 1, 2010, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.