Good news for dogs and cats in Kentucky: the state’s animal cruelty laws just received a massive update! Governor Andy Beshear signed HB 258 into law to better protect dogs and cats from torture. The legislation is also called Ethan’s Law — in honor of a dog who reportedly survived being beaten, starved, and abandoned.
The new law strengthens Kentucky’s definition of torture and abysmal animal cruelty laws, which have been noted as offering some of the worst animal protections in the country. Ethan was present when the bill passed.
While the previous laws used vague language as to what constituted torture, the amended law uses clear definitions that prohibit chaining dogs, tossing dogs or cats in dumpsters, sealing dogs or cats in boxes, tying dogs and cats up with tape or rope, and other forms of cruelty.
“The way this law is written now, it gives us the tools that we need when we make a case against someone that’s abusing animals by way of neglect or other means,” Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden told local news. “It makes it a lot easier for the prosecution to be successful.”
A significant change is that those accused of animal cruelty will also be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor. This means that instead of just a slap on the wrist, those prosecuted can face up to five years in prison. The new law also allows law enforcement to charge perpetrators for each offense instead of lumping them together.
Many Kentucky citizens are relieved that the new law will provide harsher sentencing — Sheriff Hayden recalled a case of 38 dogs starving to death where the person responsible only received probation and three days in jail.
Dogs, cats, and all animals deserve a home where they feel safe, loved, and free from harm. This change will bring justice to the victims and hopefully serve as a solid deterrent to potential offenders.
More than 38,000 people signed our petition urging Kentucky’s legislature to pass this Bill and strengthen animal protection laws in the state. Thank you to all who signed! This overwhelming support from the public is a testament to the power our voices have in advocating for change.
