April 11, 2020
Last month, Mississippi Senator Angela Hill introduced amendments to an existing animal welfare bill which would increase the penalty for aggravated animal cruelty from misdemeanor to a felony. The original bill titled “The Mississippi Dog and Cat Protection Law” was first passed in 2011, but lawmakers have been working to add provisions to the law for several years with no success, until now.
Under the new legislation, titled Senate Bill 2658, people who commit terrible crimes such as torturing, crushing, or suffocating animals would be charged with a felony on their first offense, which is upgraded from a misdemeanor. Perpetrators could also face up to three years in prison, as well as a $5,000 fine.
Take Action: The Mississippi state legislative session has been suspended due to the COVID-19 health crisis, and will reconvene at a later date. Mississippi residents, you can still reach out to your representatives and urge them to support SB 2658!