STATE LEGISLATION

Federal & State Laws that usurp our legal Rights are often driven by animal "rights" and animal "welfare" organizations, learn about HUMAN RIGHTS vs. ANIMAL RIGHTS!

ANIMAL CRUELTY LAW 2020 CONTROVERSY

Mississippi SB 2658 signed by Governor Reeves

The implications of MS Senate Bill No. 2658 ^{{Ref #1}} are staggering although it applies only to ‘domesticated dogs and cats’ and ‘loyal and beloved pets’ in Mississippi, but everyone knows…

The person who commits “an offense of simple cruelty to a domesticated dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both. Each act of simple cruelty that is committed against more than one (1) domesticated dog or cat constitutes a separate offense.”

There is no provision for cruelty to livestock, presumably because horses don’t live in the house nor is there a provision for parrots and other birds. This is specifically for dogs and cats, in this case a helpless pit-bull puppy.

“… this law is to provide only for the protection of domesticated dogs and cats, as these are the animals most often serving as the loyal and beloved pets of the citizens of this state. Animals other than domesticated dogs and cats are specifically excluded from the enhanced protection described in this section for dogs and cats.”

About the newly enacted Animal Cruelty Law, Karen Rhodes observed “It has been said by many people that when people have the same "rights" as animals, we will have no rights at all. Why are animals protected against cruelty and abuse when people, and even our children are not? Murder, rape, violence and brutality against people is a daily occurrence and there are laws against it but the police can only do so much.”

MCAAC (Mississippi Citizens Against Animal Cruelty) has been working with senators like Angela Burks Hill to create stiffer penalties for people convicted of animal abuse or cruelty.

MS Senator Angela Burks Hill observed in part “If the federal government can pass a federal bill that’s much stronger, we at least in Mississippi can pass state legislation that models what the federal government has done so that we can provide state charges for some of these heinous acts of cruelty and we can provide more than one count for all these neglect charges.”

The significance explained by Senator Hill is that “under the new law, each act of cruelty or abuse against an animal will now count as a separate offense.”

One of our best animal law experts is Sue Beaulieu who said “Murder, rape, and brutality against humans is a daily occurrence and there are laws against it, but the police can only do so much. Is it the same for animal control officers? Maybe move to defund them.....especially when all they generally do is seize animals from people and run up the forfeiture costs and if the legal owners cannot pay them - they turn the animals over to non-profits who profit off them!!! Does this make any sense?”

It should be noted that the Humane Society proposed July 2020 “Puppy mill owners with a previous conviction for animal cruelty would face a felony penalty for abuse or neglect if the act causes serious injury.”

The NetPlaces Network staff will keep an eye on that part of the 2020 Mississippi Animal Cruelty Law. The Clarion Ledger reported that with a plea agreement, a man received the maximum sentence (6 months) for a first offense for slamming a pit bull puppy on the hood of a truck. He will also pay $2,500 in fines and court costs. And when he gets out of jail he will also have to perform 80 hours of community service.

Hats off to Mississippi! Contact your legislators and demand stiffer animal cruelty laws and penalties.

If there is a case pending in your state, please email the editor.

Reference & Related Information: {1} MMS Senate Bill 2658  ~ Instant Information for your ii Governor, Senators and Congressional Representatives

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