Article 8 in the Denver Municipal Code describes animal abuse and neglect.
Cruelty to animals prohibited
It shall be unlawful for any person to needlessly beat, inflict violence upon or kill, overwork, torture or mutilate, or to otherwise treat in a cruel, dangerous or inhumane manner, any animal, or to cause any such acts.
It is unlawful to leave an animal in an unattended vehicle either without adequate ventilation or in any manner which subjects the animal to extreme temperatures that are dangerous or detrimental to the animal’s health or welfare.
Neglect to animals prohibited
The Denver Municipal Animal Shelter has authority to impound any animal that shows signs of neglect (ex. malnourishment).
Abandonment
Abandoning an animal is a crime. After leaving notices, Denver Municipal Animals Shelter has the authority to impound any animal that appears to be abandoned.
Poisoning
It shall be unlawful for any person to poison any domestic animal in any manner whatsoever with the intent or for the purpose of poisoning such animal.
To report animal cruelty in Denver call 720-913-1311 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867