PETITION TARGET: Tennessee Lawmakers
On New Year’s Day, a man in Chattanooga, Tennessee, allegedly locked his girlfriend out of her apartment and drowned her cat in a bathtub after an argument — reportedly citing a scratch as justification for ending the cat’s life, according to local news.
The man faces a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, which in Tennessee is a Class E felony that carries a possible sentence of one to six years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000.
Now, a newly introduced state bill — SB1475/HB1444 — would elevate aggravated cruelty to animals to a Class D felony, punishable by two to 12 years in prison, and impose additional consequences for juveniles found responsible for the offense.
This means a juvenile who commits aggravated cruelty to animals could be labeled a serious youthful offender and kept under court supervision for three extra years after turning 19.
The violence on New Year’s Day offers a chilling example of how serious the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals truly is, and why it must carry meaningful consequences for adults and juveniles alike.
Sign our petition urging lawmakers in Tennessee to back this legislation so that penalties for aggravated cruelty to animals better reflect the severity of the crime.
UPDATE (4/13/2026): SB1475 was recommended for passage by the Senate Judiciary Committee and has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.
HB1444 was recommended for passage by the House Judiciary Committee and has been assigned to the House Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee.
We will continue to monitor this legislation and share any updates as they become available.
