ARS 13-2910.07: Cruel Confinement of Pigs and Veal Calves
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-2910.07 on cruel confinement of pigs and veal calves, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 1 misdemeanor and exposure reaching up to 6 months in jail.
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What the State Must Prove Under § 13-2910.07
A.R.S. § 13-2910.07 is the Arizona statute on cruel confinement of pigs and veal calves. The statute sets out 2 ways the offense can be committed. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 6 months in jail.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of title 3 or title 13, a person shall not tether or confine any pig during pregnancy or any calf raised for veal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from:
- Lying down and fully extending his or her limbs; or
- Turning around freely.
The State must prove every element of the paragraph it actually charged, beyond a reasonable doubt. Which paragraph appears on the complaint decides what the case is about, and it is the first thing to check.
Penalties for a § 13-2910.07 Conviction
| Class | Maximum jail | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 misdemeanor | 6 months | $2,500 |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-2910.07
(Caution: 1998 Prop. 105 applies)
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of title 3 or title 13, a person shall not tether or confine any pig during pregnancy or any calf raised for veal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents such animal from:
1. Lying down and fully extending his or her limbs; or
2. Turning around freely.
B. This section shall not apply to:
1. Pigs or calves during transportation.
2. Pigs or calves in rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, or other similar exhibitions.
3. The killing of pigs or calves according to the provisions of chapter 13, title 3 and other applicable law and regulations.
4. Pigs or calves involved in lawful scientific or agricultural research.
5. Pigs or calves while undergoing an examination, test, treatment or operation for veterinary purposes.
6. A pig during the seven day period prior to the pig’s expected date of giving birth.
C. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
D. The following definitions shall govern this section:
1. “Calf” means a calf of the bovine species.
2. “Calf raised for veal” means a calf raised with the intent of selling, marketing or distributing the meat, organs or any part of such calf as a food product described as “veal.”
3. “Farm” means the land, buildings, support facilities, and other equipment that is wholly or partially used for the production of animals for food or fiber.
4. “Pig” means any animal of the porcine species.
5. “Turning around freely” means having the ability to turn around in a complete circle without any impediment, including a tether, or, in the case of an enclosure (including what is commonly described as a “gestation crate” for pigs and a “veal crate” for calves) without touching any side of the enclosure.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2910.07, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Related Statutes in Chapter 29 — Offenses Against Public Order
- A.R.S. § 13-2910 — Cruelty to animals
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.01 — Animal fighting
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.02 — Presence at animal fight
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.03 — Cockfighting
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.04 — Presence at cockfight
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.09 — Equine tripping
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.10 — Ownership, possession, purchase, sale, transfer or manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia
- A.R.S. § 13-2910.11 — Unlawful animal ownership or possession
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-2910.07 Cases
A § 13-2910.07 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 1 misdemeanor and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle cruel confinement of pigs and veal calves cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-2910.07?
A.R.S. § 13-2910.07 is the Arizona statute on cruel confinement of pigs and veal calves. A violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-2910.07 a felony in Arizona?
No. Under the statute a violation is a class 1 misdemeanor, so the exposure reaches up to 6 months in jail. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the maximum penalty for a class 1 misdemeanor?
A.R.S. 13-707 caps jail at 6 months for a class 1 misdemeanor and A.R.S. 13-802 caps the fine at $2,500, before surcharges. A judge may also impose probation and other conditions.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-2910.07?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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