Previous Story
Animal cruelty bill passes lower house
|
Posted on Sep 09 2004
A bill that seeks to criminalize cruelty to animals got the nod of the House of Representatives, which passed the legislative measure yesterday.
If House Bill 14-29, also known as the Animal Protection Act of 2004, becomes law as passed, it will provide a maximum jail term of five years to violators. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The bill seeks to amend the Commonwealth Code to include new provisions penalizing animal cruelty.
“Any person who intentionally inflicts severe or prolonged pain or suffering on an animal, or who recklessly neglects an animal and as a result of that neglect, causes its death or causes severe pain or suffering to the animal, is guilty of a misdemeanor,” it states.
Offenders face a prison term of not more than one year, or a maximum fine of $500, or both.
The bill seeks to impose stricter penalties for those who intentionally injure or kill any animal while it is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a law enforcement officer.
Such an offense would be classified as a felony, which would entail a maximum prison term of five years, fine ranging from $500 to $5,000, or both.
House minority leader Heinz Hofschneider introduced the bill earlier this year.
