DES MOINES – There are several animal abuse bills making their way through the Statehouse, and one of them is getting some traction.
On Tuesday, an animal cruelty bill passed through the full House Judiciary Committee. The bill clarifies and strengthens punishment for current state-level abuse, neglect and torture of companion animals. This is a big step in the right director for local organizations who’ve been fighting tooth and nail for years to get tougher laws in place.
“Iowa is really failing our pets at this point,” said Haley Anderson, the Executive Director of Iowa Voters for Companion Animals.
Right now the state legislature is considering a few bills that would bring harsher penalties for people accused of animal abuse, neglect and torture.
“Right now we are seeing so many cases of egregious animal cruelty and the offenders are not getting appropriate sentences. Increasing those penalties, particularly for torture. Iowa is one of only two states without a first offense felony penalty outside animal fighting. Mississippi is the other. So we definitely need to fix that,” says Anderson.
She also says House Bill 114 that passed Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, would clarify the writing of current animal abuse laws.
“Currently the charge of animal abuse, we have an owner exemption so you as the owner of you dog or cat in Iowa cannot be charged with animal abuse. That’s not appropriate, owning a dog or cat should not give you the right to abuse that animal under Iowa law.”
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue agrees. Too many times they see abused or neglected animals come through their doors.
“We see horrible things and nothing happens to these people. It is unacceptable to think this is a piece of garbage, it is unacceptable,” says Amy Heinz.
While legislation has stalled out in past years, Heinz is optimistic. “We are very hopeful for this year. We’ve got new people in place and people who are a little more willing to take a look at these bills.”
A similar bill recently passed the Iowa Senate. Now both bills will go to the floor for a vote.