It is disturbing to think that cruelty against an animal is only warranted a misdemeanor charge with menial penalties. After all, many people regard animals as property or possessions rather than the living and breathing beings with feelings that they really are. However, Minnesota currently punishes animal cruelty as a misdemeanor. Read more on their laws at http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/PDF/AnimalCrueltyLaws.pdf & https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/advocacy/current-animal-welfare-laws.
Unless charges and penalties for animal cruelty crimes are more stringent, there will be continual repeat offenders. It is also a proven fact that there is a distinct connection between animal cruelty and human violence. It is difficult to stop all crime but making laws more stringent that are strictly enforced will make more of an impact in the protection of those in our society, including innocent animals.
I propose that any and all crimes against animals be classified as a felony with severe consequences such as longer jail sentences, higher fees, possibly acts of community service hours and also being placed on an animal cruelty registry to be shared nationwide with anyone within the animal field such as sales, care, breeding and treatment. Additionally, such abusers need to be banned for lifetime working with, caring for or owning animals for the rest of their lives.
The effort in this petition is to urge Minnesota State Legislators to implement and strictly enforce animal cruelty felony charges for any and all crimes against animals throughout the state. There shouldn’t be any second chances because it should be common knowledge that abusing an animal, just like abusing a human is wrong and unjust. You can help with this endeavor by signing and sharing this petition on all social media, adding your own ideas and comments on the protection of animals.
Minnesota State Legislators – I strongly urge you to implement and strictly enforce animal cruelty felony charges for any and all crimes against animals throughout the state. Such animal cruelty felonies need to be punished with strict, severe consequences such as longer jail sentences, higher fees, possibly acts of community service hours and also being placed on an animal cruelty registry to be shared nationwide with anyone within the animal field such as sales, care, breeding and treatment. Additionally, such abusers need to be banned for lifetime working with, caring for or owning animals for the rest of their lives. There shouldn’t be any second chances because it should be common knowledge that abusing an animal, just like abusing a human is wrong and unjust.
