Michigan is passing two new bills this month that nearly double the maximum prison sentence for animal abuse in the state.
House Bill 4332 increases the maximum penalty for killing or torturing an animal to ten years, starting on March 21st. Previously, the maximum was a mere four years.
House Bill 4333 revises sentencing guidelines for animal abuse and comes into effect on March 28th.
Rep. Tommy Brann of Wyoming sponsored the two bills, and former Governor Rick Snyder signed them into law late last year.
Prosecutors and animal advocates throughout the state say these changes are well overdue, with previous animal abusers in Michigan receiving shockingly insufficient penalties for their horrific crimes.
“The current laws are not sufficient enough to protect animals and hold offenders responsible for their conduct,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “We have been working with legislators on changes to the law for seven years. During that time there have been many lawmakers that have been fighting this battle with us, and we are very grateful for their support. This is certainly a positive step forward.”
Leading up to the law change, prosecutors highlighted some sickening animal cruelty cases that took place in the state, where authorities were unable to hand out appropriate sentences because of crippling legislation.
In one case — described by the Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor as the worst act of cruelty he had ever seen — Timothy Crow brutally beat his mother’s dog to death. He left the animal in the crate for the heartbroken woman to discover. Crow confessed he had hurt every pet ever owned by his family and felt urges to harm people. Crow only received six months in jail with four years of supervision.
Another case involved a puppy named Rumble. He was abandoned with a skull fracture and found covered in maggots, barely breathing. His “guardians” were only charged with a misdemeanor.
This new legislation gives law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges more power to remove animal abusers from society. Thank you, Michigan, for showing you won’t tolerate abuse and protecting innocent animals from these horrific acts.
What’s New…
Well Done, Michigan ! Hopefully, other places throughout the world will start getting the picture. Canada is looking at our Animal Cruelty Laws,.as well.Ee have an election coming up in Canada, in two weeks. Animal Rights is an issue we’re moving forward with.
Hopefully, this will set a precedent for many jurisdictions.bb
An eye for an eye. Give back the brutality that he met out on this dog.
Habeses pienso que paso con los valores el respecto el amor y la confianza donde quedo estamos destruyendo todo la raza animal el planeta y a nosotros mismos que es lo que no entiende las personas ,,,,
These people deserve far more then this little bit of time in jail or probation if they harmed an animal they belong being signed by court order to a lab testing center for science and to save another animal from that torture!
These people deserve far more then this little bit of time in jail or probation if they harmed an animal they belong being signed by court order to a lab testing center for science and to save another animal from that torture!
EXCELLENT NEWS — these beautiful, vulnerable animals NEED our protections — THANK YOU to the wonderful Legislators for realizing it’s high time TO DO SOMETHING.
All animal torturers and abusers must be put to death by the same unimagiable torture, suffering and death these psychopathic depraved lowlife animal torturers committ against their defenceless and innocent victims.
Agree completely.
All animal torturers and abusers must be put to death. This is the only way that these psychopathic depraved animal torturers can be stopped.
10 yearsjail being introduced into the Animal Protection Laws is great. But They sould suffer the same animal torture and suffering these psycho lowlife monsters committed against their defnceless and innocent victims. Death to them all.
World is terrible. Stop evil humans.
Glad to learn this news. Obviously Crow should have been not only sentenced to a longer sentenced, but if he actually said he felt urges to hurt people as well, he’s a VERY dangerous guy.
Good for Michigan!
COMMENT Pena d morte p qm maltrata animais ainda é pouco.
Hope Rumble will get the best care and a new lovely home. Love these animals. Poor Animals – Justice !
Horrible stuff.
Horrible people
I agree 100 0/0
In my state hurting a pet with a relative you are living with is considered domestic violence against the person who owns the abused pet.
Please help for poor animals
More States need this Abuse Law to protect all Animals from these Abusers if the do this to A Dog Cat & or other Animals?? What would they do to a Child??? Just a little something to think about?
Prison is just the right place for them 10 yrs isn’t enough punishment.
This man who Hurt & abused his Mothers Dog. An had done this before is very sick in mind, But still needs to be in Prison now. This poor Puppy all the Hurt & Abuse it must have suffered before he died.
now it’s past time for justice for this poor baby.
We need stronger laws all over the world. People need to know that no one has the right to hurt any animal or they will be punished with long jail time and high fines!
Qué harías si te ganaras el premio mayor de la lotería? Habemos algunos que no pensamos en una gran mansión, joyas, viajes de placer o alguna otra superficialidad…Yo imagino que gano y que de inmediato instituyo lugares para ayudar a los animales, en estado salvaje y domésticos, a tener una vida libre de abuso, etc…..Lo triste es que los que les es dada esa bendición no lo utilizan para el bien, de nadie…
good its about time they got put away for doing this to them. they should be for life and mad to pay for the vets bill.
EXCELLENT NEWS MORE COUNTRYS MUST FOLLOW SUIT.
ANIMALS DESERVE TO TREATED WITH KINDNESS AND RESPECT . NO ANIMAL DESERVES TO BE ABUSED. OTHERWISE DONT HAVE THEM. ANIMALS HAVE FEELINGS TOO. TOUGHER LAWS FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY.
Thank God for Michigan’s acceptance of harsh punishments for those who would harm innocent animals.. May you be model for other States to follow.
they should make world wide. i saw a video of a pig farm swung a baby pig killing it instantly or knocking it out
“Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” — Albert Einstein
PLEASE ENFORCE THE PROTECTION LAWS- THOSE WHO DON’T ARE JUST AS GUILTY, IF NOT MORE, FOR ALLOWING IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN
Thank you for passing the animal protection laws.
PLEASE ENFORCE THEM
I am for this all over the country, in Every State. The abuse of animals MUST STOP, People will start doing their own punishment, and are sick to death of these poor animals who have NO VOICE being harmed is every way. It is so horrible, cruel and Sick. Just STOP!!!!!!!!!!
It’s about time the some states make people pay for their abuse. For a long time. Now the rest of the states need to follow. These poor babies are defenseless and need help to survive.
The Golden Rule, please. Destroy animal abusers and keep psychopaths out of society, by whatever means.
Absolutely!
This is absoultly DISGUSTING and needs addressing. No one has the right to harm any living creature. Please make sure theses poor innocent defenceless animals are protected from harm. Make sure the monsters that comit theses DISGUSTING EVIL VILE CRUEL crimes get there deserves. Lock them away from life and throw away the keys
Look it is great that the prison terms have increased but even when they were 4 years bleeding heart or uncaring judges never excersized their powers to commit abusers, even the most horrific abusers to long terms. Fines and a couple months.
Could make the term a thousand years but if judges dont do their jobs and give long term sentences, the monsters who abuse will continue to abuse.
Judges who don’t do their jobs are equally guilty of abuse and should be punished too.