It is praiseworthy to note that several states throughout the United States have changed their laws to ensure stricter charges and penalties for anyone guilty of animal cruelty crimes. Such is the case in South Dakota when Governor Dennis Daugaard signed such a law that would set felony and appropriate penalties for malicious acts of animal cruelty. Read more on their laws and recommendations in protecting animals at http://www.keloland.com/news/article/other/most-sd-animal-cruelty-laws-are-misdemeanors and other animal cruelty laws nationwide at http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/PDF/AnimalCrueltyLaws.pdf.
This change in the law is a milestone is a crucial milestone in South Dakota in an attempt to stop the torture and brutality of animals. My proposal is to ensure that with this law, any and all crimes of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect or abandonment be classified as a felony with appropriate penalties. Penalties should include no less than longer jail sentences, higher fees, possible acts of community service hours and also being placed on an animal cruelty registry to be shared nationwide with anyone within the animal industry such as sales, care, breeding and treatment. Additionally, such abusers need to be banned for lifetime of working with, caring for or owning animals for the rest of their lives. There shouldn’t be any second chances because it must be common knowledge that abusing an animal, just like abusing a human is wrong and unjust.
The purpose of this petition is to urge South Dakota Legislators to move forward with the new law geared at protecting animals, ensuring that all crimes against these defenseless creatures be classified as a felony for first and subsequent crimes. You can help to achieve success by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own comments on thoughts in favor of protecting animals.
South Dakota State Legislators – It is highly admirable is that you have executed a law that would set felony and appropriate penalties for malicious acts of animal cruelty throughout the state. You need to ensure that any and all crimes of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect or abandonment be classified as a felony with appropriate penalties. Penalties should include no less than longer jail sentences, higher fees, possible acts of community service hours and also being placed on an animal cruelty registry to be shared nationwide with anyone within the animal industry such as sales, care, breeding and treatment. Additionally, such abusers need to be banned for lifetime of working with, caring for or owning animals for the rest of their lives. There shouldn’t be any second chances because it must be common knowledge that abusing an animal, just like abusing a human is wrong and unjust. There is never a reason to intentionally harm an animal and rely on humans to be their voice and protection.
