PETITION CLOSED
PETITION TARGET: Colorado Governor Jared Polis
UPDATE: VICTORY!! Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed this bill into law on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. Thank you to all who spoke out in support of this important legislation that will help protect the animals of Colorado!
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A newly proposed law in Colorado would ban convicted animal abusers from owning, caring for, or living with an animal. Speak out to help this lifesaving legislation pass!
Time and time again, people convicted of horrific acts of animal cruelty go on to repeat the behavior, injuring — or even killing — the innocent and helpless.
There is also a proven link between animal abuse and violence towards humans; often, those who hurt animals continue to escalate these behaviors.
Introduced by Democratic state representative Alex Valdez, Bill HB19-1092 initially proposed a five-year ban for misdemeanor animal abuse and up to ten years for felony animal abuse.
However, after pushback from the House Judiciary Committee, Valdez plans to adapt the bill to give judges leeway in deciding on the length of the ban. We would like to see a ban for life in cases of animal torture or killing.
Importantly, judges would also be able to order animal abusers to attend anger management courses or receive mental health treatment.
The bill will likely be heard by the House Judiciary Committee for the first time this week.
Sign the petition urging Colorado Governor Jared Polis to strongly support this bill, ensuring that convicted animal abusers cannot harm any more innocent creatures.
