Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed the PAWS II Act (H.4565) into law this week, drastically improving animal welfare legislation in the state.
This victory is a long time coming for organizations like The Animal Rescue League of Boston, who worked hard to bring these changes about. The organization has collaborated with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), MSPCA and Best Friends Animal Society to research and prepare this bill ever since the original PAWS I Bill passed in 2014.
“This legislation is a huge leap forward for animal protection in Massachusetts and was several years in the making,” said ARL president Mary Nee. “The Animal Rescue League of Boston is thrilled with its passage and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our elected officials to make the welfare of animals throughout the Commonwealth a priority.”
The PAWS I Bill followed a horrific case of animal abuse in 2013 that caught the attention of the nation, involving a dog known only as Puppy Doe. In this case, an abandoned and tortured pitbull was found in a playground. The female dog had been beaten, burned, stabbed, mutilated and starved; her injuries were so severe that veterinarians had no choice but to euthanize her.
Following this shocking case, government officials and animal advocacy organizations worked together to strengthen laws and increase penalties for animal abuse.
When PAWS I was enacted, the Animal Cruelty and Protection Task Force was formed to investigate how well existing animal welfare laws were working and come up with ways to improve them. The newly signed PAWS II Act is the result of this hard work.
The strengthened legislation requires that landlords check vacant properties for abandoned animals, bans automatic euthanasia of animals raised for fighting, bans sexual activities with animals, and prohibits drowning animals, among other safeguards.
Thank you, Massachusetts Governor for signing the PAWS !! act into law! WELL DONE!
HALLELUJAH!
Wonderful news. Very well done. God bless you.
This is good news.
Justice, compassion, laws, live, LOVE..
Thank-God. We are the only voice animals have on this planet. These laws need to be stronger. It’s LONG overdue. I am so tired of innocent animals dying. It’s sickens and hurts my heart.
If anyone can hurt an innocent animal they are heartless. THIS IS LONG OVERDUE. Our Country needs to have MUCH stronger laws against animal Cruelty. I am so tired of animals dying. No Reason for it.
Hallelujah! Now only if this would be (it could be ) passed and enforced HEAVILY in ALL 50 states. Animals are helpless and have no voice but ours. We must stand up for and speak for and fight for all animals! They need us!
ALL ANIMAL LIVES MATTER ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Poor Puppy Doe. Love you very much, Puppy Doe. Thank you for going to make better protection laws for animals. The kindness towards all animals should be a priority in every parts of the world. People need to be educated to be kind to ALL animals – a course should be taught at every elementary school.
Long overdue. Why has it taken 5 years and how many other animals have had to suffer in that time.
About time – long overdue. But why has it taken 5 years? And how many other animals have had to suffer in that time.
Hooray! Darling little Puppy Doe did not die in vain.
Way to go Gov. Charlie Baker. Thanku.
That’s great news. This should be compulsory in all states
Now…if ALL other states follow suit, and punishment for these crimes is quadrupled, as well as the fines raised 10X, a clear message can be sent to would be animal abusers, which as we ALL know, leads to child and elderly abuse!!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who is always helping animals. Please let us all keep going forward with it.
Many wonderful changes for animals are occurring regularly! Many thanks to all the organizations and individuals who fight 24/7 for the humane treatment of animals!! God Bless You All!
Step in the right direction. But you can put laws into books, however that doesn’t mean those pieces of crap will obey them. Its time for an eye for an eye. Do unto them as they did unto their victims action. Otherwise, laws or not, the idiotic, heartless criminals are not going to stop. Why can’t the laws, judges, lawyer and government understand that? When will they get it? Will all the animals have to be killed before thet get it? UNBELIEVABLE! Punish them fools with the torture and abuse they gave those sweet, innocent creatures so they won’t even think of doing it again. That goes for ALL animals. I personally would like to cripple them all for life so that it would be no way they could hurt animals again. Oh well, I can only dream.
I completely agree with you!
Once a murderous black heart > always a murderous black heart! And sadly, no legislation will change that decrepit human condition. A law ‘on the books’ is certainly a start but…KEEP IT FRONT AND CENTER…so that no other Puppy Doe or Kitty Doe falls prey to the cruelty, torture, abuse, and abandonment inflicted by sick twisted black hearts! The written word is one thing > WE MUST WALK THE TALK > ACT AND VIGOROUSLY ENFORCE! These precious creatures TRUST us with their unconditional love and built-in will to PLEASE! What is inflicted upon our furry friends MUST BE MET WITH JUSTICE!!!
This historic decision must be purcolated in India
thank you governor baker and the commonwealth of Massachusetts for doing something for the animals and listing to the people and not to the one percent lobbyists and greedy ceos. i wish we had this in indiana but all we have. here is polticans that only worry about the lobbyists special interest groups and the almiighty dollar then go to church on sunday and tell people how great they are. god bless you sir for doing this.
Good for Governor Baker. Thank you.
I’m pleased that animal welfare is becoming the important issue that it is meant to be. I’m saddened that it took the horrific abuse of this poor dog to bring it to light that animals have few protections against such cruelty and suffering. I don’t think anyone could forget Puppy Doe and what this poor dog suffered. Rest in peace sweet angel and know that many of us would surely have rescued you if we had only known what was happening.
Now we just have to get the rest of the world to follow suite. Who knows stranger things have happened.
Take care
Wonderful, wonderful. Now let this bill encompass all American cities
Governor Charles Baker you are my hero !!! It is about time someone did something like this ! I applaud you for this giant step to benefit animals .
Thank you, Massachusetts!!!
I like Joan’s idea of forwarding this message to our reps.
Let’s keep this ball rolling and make this country safe for all animals <3
Never stop fighting!
Yes, Massachusetts! You are leading the way and it is for the rest of us to quickly follow in your footsteps.
I will send the article’s points to my representatives, and ask that they do the same!
Thank you, Lady Freethinker and Carly Day for this most welcome post!
To all of my brothers and sisters who support Lady Freethinker, you have my appreciation and respect. We who care, have read and acted on these sad petitions to help combat horrendous acts of animal abuse. Stay strong! Stay the course, and please continue to follow and support Lady Freethinker and her allies. We make changes in the lives of animals. Sign, comment if you wish, and move on, and try not to absorb the negativity: we must remain whole and positive to be resilient and fight for the voiceless. Thank you, Everyone.
Amen Joan!
Thank you governor..and Mr Hobbs, great reply…I’m all for Lady F…Thank u for all your posts. Heartbreakung…we need more States to follow, Governor, please talk to your colleague’s about animal abuse…I applaud you…Barbara from Ct…I hope our Governor needs to this