(MPRN-Lansing) State lawmakers will try again to crack down on animal cruelty in Michigan. A state Senate panel will take up a pair of bills on Tuesday that would increase penalties for serial animal abusers.
The worst offenders – those who abuse 25 or more animals or who have three or more prior convictions - would face felony charges and up to seven years in prison. Similar bills failed to clear the legislature last year.
Senate bills 28 and 29 are being championed by county prosecutors – most notably Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. They say there’s a link between animal abuse and domestic violence, that abusers often torture pets as a way to control their victims.
“It was brought to my attention by the Wayne County prosecutor that this crime in increasing and is very threatening to domestic violence victims,” said state Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “Domestic violence is a horrible crime,” he said. “And if someone can get even by torturing or killing a pet, they sometimes will do such a horrendous act. (A victim) knows she cannot take the dog or cat to the (women’s) shelter, so the only way to save it is to return.”
The legislation would also extend animal abuse laws to breeders and pet shop operators.