In a welcome advancement for animal protection in Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed the Community and Pet Protection Act (HF737) into law, bolstering the state’s animal cruelty legislation.
This new law introduces stronger penalties for perpetrators who harm, mistreat, or neglect a companion animal.
The bill, unanimously approved by the House (97-0) and passed by the Senate (44-4), abolishes the exemption caretakers currently have from being charged with cruelty to their own companion animals and makes second-offense animal neglect and abuse a class D felony.
It also clarifies standards of care requirements for food, water, and shelter, and includes provisions for hygiene conditions, grooming, and veterinary care, while removing ambiguous language to ensure anyone who tortures a pet can be charged for their crime.
Finally, mental health assessments will now be required for juveniles with offenses punishable as an aggravated misdemeanor and class D felony.
“HF737 is a significant step forward for Iowa, a state that has long been ranked as one of the worst in the nation for animal protection laws,” commented Iowa Pet Alliance executive director Haley Anderson. “During such unprecedented and politically contentious times, HF737 has proven that protecting our pets is something the majority of Iowans and legislators can agree on, regardless of party.”
Lady Freethinker (LFT) applauds this step in the right direction for Iowa. Thank you to the nearly 32,000 people who signed LFT’s petition demanding stronger and more effective animal welfare legislation in in the state, and to all of the animal activists in Iowa fighting so hard for change.

They should ban animal cruelty everywhere and ban slaughter house’s and factory farms the exploitation of animals leading to extinction.
It’s about time
It’s about time
Animals need to be safe and protected.
They should ban animal cruelty everywhere and ban slaughter house’s and factory farms the exploitation of animals leading to extinction.
Do not kill animals
Hooray for the banning of animal meats. They are not dewormed, immunized, kept with well maintained shelter how can this continue to be possible in other countries. Farming and infrastructure of their cities is what they should focus towards. Not animal trading.
Thank you, Lady Freethinker, for dedicating so much work to defend animals. God bless you!
I don’t know about anyone else but I’m sick of the evil rotten people on this earth – it’s time we all stick together and force a worldwide law of the land ALL ANIMAL ABUSERS AND MURDERS SUFFER AS THEIR VICTIMS DO – the mental health is no longer in question nor is it a excuse to allow them to get away with these horrible acts against animals! You do the crime you suffer the same that is equal to paying for the crime! These evil beings should never be allowed around animals nor other humans !
I thoroughly agree with you 1000%. These so called deluded religious freaks who go to church to look like Goody Goody Gum Drops quoting the Bible have overlooked when the Bible states:
“An eye for en eye. A tooth for a tooth. Do unto them as they do unto you-guilty until proven innocent.
But alas the so many people who claim to be mentally ill (no excuse) that are sadistic corrupt psychopaths including World Bleeders and Judges etc believe Humans are so important.should be put down as they serve no purpose to society.
If these people claim they are so important than animals:
“Why aren’t they all not in Heaven giving Iesus Twice a Blow Job”?:
No doubt this must be
The “2nd Coming of the Reich Kind”
just like Pissident Donald Duck Trump legalising the culling of 10,000 horses a day in addition to Trophy Head Hunters, Fur trappers and much more all in the name of God or Allah Goot alias G R E E D.
With this pandemic x 2 some say Nature is Fighting Back. Some say it’s The Wrath of God. I say good riddance to culling at least 7 billion people out of 7.7 billion people with the exception of a few good people like you with a NUCLEAR HEART that can generate ongoing love, care, dedication and much more towards all animals: MEMBERS OF THE LOYAL FAMILY.
Feel free to keep in touch..Take care, stay safe and Dog Bless.. [email protected].
Ps I agree with you in needing an international ANIMAL LIBERATION ARMY fully loaded in association with the S.O.S.S.
“Shoot on Sight Squad”.
Also THE NEXT DOOR DIGEST SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN AS THERE READERS — SELF CENTERED IDIOTS BENT ON CULLING AND CRUELTY TOWARDS ANIMALS JUST LIKE THE KKK and KFC.
About time.
About time a little to too late. Perhaps these politicians must have spent some time in concentration holiday camp like Belsen to wake up that this could be their children next as food resources begins to deplete.
Take care-stay safe and Dog Bless. [email protected] LOVE TO ALL THESE ANIMALS-TRUE MEMBERS OF THE LOYAL FAMILY-BRILLIANTAIRES-THE SILENT CHRISTIANS.
Let’s hope it also applies to all the other states and the whole darn verld. Take care-stay safe and Dog Bless. [email protected]
Ps: Nothing like a FREE HOLIDAY in BELSEN HOLIDAY CONCENTRATION CAMP or the GULAG for these sadistic-mentally ill psychopaths which would be better served within the community as subjects in all medical and cosmetic laboratories or as target practice for the military thus saving billions on free 5 star prison accommodation with free legal representation.
What’s next when they are on parole or released. Your Children?
We need death penalty law for humans! So they think twice? Doing evil to animals,😢
Its time to crack down on animal abuse!
Its time to crack down on animal abuse!
People who abuse other animals tend to abuse other people.
Please stop animal abuse. We human are better than this
Please stop animal abuse. We human are better than this
Please protect animals. We are measured by our attitude toward the weaker than us. Let’s be great and mindful.
Thank you Gov. of Iowa, THANK YOU & GOD BLESS. This type of Animal protection laws must be implemented around the world. The way the poor innocent animals suffer in the hands of some evil people are horrendous & brutal. Such tortures & cruelty must be banned & need to protect the animals.
Iowa stronger animal cruelty law
As a native Iowan I am proud again to say I am from Iowa. This new legislation will bring Iowa up to the level of the rest of the country as respects animal cruelty. Thanks Legislators!!!!
terrible
terrible
These ppl need to Prosecuted for being cruel to animals
it is long over due !!! a bill gets passed making it a felony to abuse animals yet time after time they get off with a fine ! or probation and the promise not to get another animal ..this is after they beat , burned , starved to death for weeks on end and ya ok they will pay attention to that real fast !! re our judges complete morons ?? are they wearing the robe bit too tight not able to sense right n wrong ???? please if this law is passed use it , for all the world to see !!! you will be a leader in the rise of this horrific animal cruelty that has risen exponentially !
Tierschändermörder, die unschuldigen Tieren Leid & Schmerzen bewusst & mutwillig zufügen müssen hart bestraft & weggesperrt werden !
m
What a great story! Such a charming kitty. Glad the humans who needed him and the cat who needed the humans found each other. Makes my day!
I am pleased that Iowa has taken this step. More states need to either create or update animal-protection legislation.
Bravo Iowa.
About time and a little to late. Good news is better than none. Just hope Pissident Donald Duck Trump the 2nd Coming of The Reich Kind does not try to override this as he loves destroying what he cannot create such as Wildlife Trophy Hunting to Putin on the style in a game of Russian Roulette on a Black and Reich Chess Board-Winner takes all laughing all the way to the bank.
“Which Bank”? “The West Bank you idiot”.
Dog Bless.. [email protected]
A massive thank you to Iowa from the United Kingdom. xxxxx
Yes, please! More stringent laws to uphold for all animals. They deserve our constant care and protection. Always!
Well done Iowa. May the future also bring protection to farm animals.
Yes!
Protect the animals. Please.
U people need t get it. Together
Well done Iowa.
Thank you, Iowa.
This is awesome and all states need to pass stricter laws against animal abuse, torture and cruelty.