Update: (3/9/2022): Sadly, Buddy’s Law died due to other bills taking precedence over it.
February 12, 2022
Paws Up!
To the Mississippi Senate for passing Senate Bill 2261 to make youth answer for their animal cruelty crimes.
Horrific images of animals subjected to cruelty are gut-wrenching. Disbelief, anger, and questions arise when innocent creatures suffer such abuse, and many agree the punishment individuals face for such egregious acts should fit the crime. But what happens if the offenders are juveniles who commit crimes that are punishable by a felony charge if they were adults?
One such scenario occurred last year in Mississippi; law enforcement officers investigated a disturbing crime against Buddy, a yellow canine, who returned home severely burned with an electrical cord around his neck. Amazingly, Buddy is recovering from his excruciating facial injuries. According to a news article, the answer they found was shocking; it was a 12-year-old who committed the unthinkable act. The reason why has not been publicized, but lawmakers are urgently trying to pass Buddy’s Law to give the court direction when faced with sentencing youth found guilty of animal cruelty. Senator Angela Burks Hall (R-District 40) is the primary author of Buddy’s Law, Senate Bill 2261. Thankfully, the Senate unanimously voted to pass Buddy’s Law that would require convicted juveniles to receive psychological evaluations and counseling upon conviction. Currently, it is in the Judiciary B House Committee.
Learn more about Preventing Animal Cruelty by ordering our free educational brochure.
Take Action: Mississippi residents, would you show your support for Buddy’s Law by contacting your representative today?