In what could be a promising step forward for animal welfare in Iowa, on June 13 state legislators passed a new bill to strengthen animal cruelty legislation, which now awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds’ signature.
The Community and Pet Protection Act (737) introduces harsher penalties for anyone who harms, mistreats, or neglects a companion animal, a necessary improvement as Iowa is currently one of the country’s worst-ranking states for animal welfare.
Executive Director for the Iowa Pet Alliance Haley Anderson notes that Iowa’s current animal cruelty legislation (717B) has a number of ambiguities and loopholes, which don’t hold animal guardians accountable for cruelty to their pets.
“It really allows for animal abusers to either escape charges altogether, or really we’re not seeing the adequate sentences,” said Anderson. “If you are the owner of your dog, you cannot be charged with animal abuse for abusing your own pet. That’s unacceptable and isn’t in line with Iowa’s values, and that is something House File 737 will change.”
The final version of the new bill will make second-offense animal neglect and abuse a class D felony and will remove the exemption caretakers currently have from being charged with abusing their own companion animals.
In addition, the bill removes ambiguous language to ensure anyone who tortures a pet can be charged and clarifies certain standards of care requirements for food, water, and shelter, adding provisions for sanitary conditions, grooming, and veterinary care.
The bill also demands mental health assessments for juveniles with offenses punishable as an aggravated misdemeanor and class D felony.
Animals need to be safe and protected.
This is long overdue and surely needed. I strongly urge this to be passed and made into law.
ANIMAL CRUELTY MUST STOP,,,ASAP!!! GOD’S PRECIOUS ANIMALS DESERVE TO LIVE IN KINDNESS AND PEACEFUL LIFE ,,,ASAP!!!
ANIMAL CRUELTY MUST STOP,,,ASAP!!! GOD’S PRECIOUS ANIMALS DESERVE TO LIVE IN KINDNESS AND PEACEFUL LIFE ,,,ASAP!!!
All states need to pass animal cruelty laws. And have them sign an animal registry for abused animals. They cant have any animals.
This new legislation for animal abuse in Iowa want to know it was signed by governors
Way too often people do not report neglect or abuse to domesticated animals because they are fully aware of the fact that the perpetrators will never be sentenced in a serious way. Abuse of dogs, horses, etc… year in, year out, is a CRIME. Serious sentences are to be applied, not just a slap on the wrist. Punishing people is the only way to change their disgusting way of treating animals. All intelligent, sentient beings, just like us.
Way too often people do not report neglect or abuse to domesticated animals because they are fully aware of the fact that the perpetrators will never be sentenced in a serious way. Abuse of dogs, horses, etc… year in, year out, is a CRIME. Serious sentences are to be applied, not just a slap on the wrist. Punishing people is the only way to change their disgusting way of treating animals. All intelligent, sentient beings, just like us.
Please adopt the stronger animal cruelty laws. Animal cannot speak so we need to speak for them.
Animal cruelty laws need to be strenghtened in all states so that people serve the maximum amount of time Animals are defenseless and trust humans. We need to be worthy of that trust and not abuse it.
This is evil and has to stop!!!!!
I support the death penalty for all animal abusers
EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD MUST MUST DEMAND STRONG ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS! EVEN THE ANIMALS THAT ARE BRED TO BE KILLED FOR MEAT.. WHILE ANIMALS ARE ALIVE,THEY MUST BE TREATED HUMANELY. PLEASE PEOPLE, DEMAND HUMANE TREATMENT OF ALL ANIMALS INCLUDING THOSE USED FOR HUMAN GREED.
WOW…………………….there is no time like now to save animals lives and punish the monsters who abuse, torture and kill them. . YEA!
WOW…………………….there is no time like now to save animals lives and punish the monsters who abuse, torture and kill them. . YEA!
I’ve heard some atrocious animal cruelty from Iowa over the years. This will be a welcome law from preventing abusers to get away from the worst of evil. Thank you Iowa for finally open your eyes and hearts for protecting the innocent victims in your state. But I have to say, I always wondered why the protection of farmed animals, zoo animals, animal testing and all others are not covered and do not deserved the same protection.