Part definitions

As used in this part: (1) “Abuser” or “animal abuser” means a person who has been convicted in this state of committing an animal abuse offense; Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!(A) Aggravated cruelty to animals, under §. See Tennessee Code 40-39-102Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.Companion animal: means any dog, defined as any live dog of the species Canis familiaris, or cat, defined as any live cat of the species Felis catus. See Tennessee Code 40-39-102Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.Director: means the director of the TBI. See Tennessee Code 40-39-102Habeas corpus: A writ that is usually used to bring a prisoner before the court to determine the legality of his imprisonment. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105TBI: means the Tennessee bureau of investigation. See Tennessee Code 40-39-102(2) “Animal” means a companion animal, and a “non-livestock animal”, as defined in § 39-14-201. “Animal” does not mean “livestock”, as defined in § 39-14-201, or “wildlife”, as defined in § 70-1-101; (3) “Animal abuse offense” means: (A) Aggravated cruelty to animals, under § 39-14-212; (B) Animal fighting, under § 39-14-203, where the defendant‘s act constitutes a felony; and (C) A criminal offense against animals, under § 39-14-214; (4) “Companion animal” means any dog, defined as any live dog of the species Canis familiaris, or cat, defined as any live cat of the species Felis catus; (5) “Conviction” means a judgment entered by a Tennessee court upon a plea of guilty, a plea of nolo contendere, or a finding of guilt by a jury or the court, notwithstanding any pending appeal or habeas corpus proceeding arising from the judgment. Conviction includes a disposition of pretrial diversion under § 40-15-105, a disposition of judicial diversion under § 40-35-313, or the equivalent dispositions from other jurisdictions; (6) “Director” means the director of the TBI; and (7) “TBI” means the Tennessee bureau of investigation.