Currently, Michigan Law defines Animal Cruelty as "Fail to provide an animal with adequate care; Cruelly drive, work, or beat an animal. Carry or cause to be carried in or upon a vehicle or otherwise any live animal having the feet or legs tied together. Carry or cause to be carried a live animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise without providing a secure space, rack, car, crate, or cage in which all animals may stand, turn around, and lie down during transportation, or while awaiting slaughter. Abandon an animal or cause an animal to be abandoned, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care, unless premises are temporarily vacated for the protection of human life during a disaster. Willfully or negligently allow any animal, including one who is aged, diseased, maimed, hopelessly sick, disabled, or non-ambulatory to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain. Tether a dog unless the tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and is attached to a harness or non-choke collar designed for tethering."
The first offense of such is a MISDEMEANOR with a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 93 days and/or community service for not more than 200 hours. The second offense of such is a Felony with a fine up to $2,000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years and/or community service for not more than 300 hours. The third or subsequent offense of such is a Felony with a fine up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years and/or community service for not more than 500 hours. In all of the above, the convicted shall pay for the prosecution of his case and mya e required to forfeit the animal(s) in his charge and may prohibit the ownership of animals for a period of time or permanently for a second conviction. Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, horse racing, operation of a zoological park or aquarium, pest or rodent control, farming, husbandry, and research.
I am trying to get at least 5,000 signatures to present to the Michigan Legislature to change the current first offense animal cruelty law to a felony instead of a misdemeanor. By incorporating harsher penalties to ALL animal cruelty cases, we hope to reduce the number of offenses of cruelty to animals.
