KENTUCKY PEEKS OUT OF THE DARK AGES!

Thirty years of recent science has yielded evidence of a significant connection between animal cruelty and human violence. Together, we can stop the cycle of abuse. A strong anti-cruelty law is one of the most important components of cruelty prevention. Effective deterrence and intervention are especially critical due to the link between animal cruelty and violence toward humans.

Thirty-seven states have made a strong commitment to stop animal abuse. These states have added a felony penalty to their anti-cruelty laws to address the most extreme and malicious acts. Kentucky should be the next to take this very critical step.

The felony-provision states are:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado (May 2002), Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (April 2002), Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee (July 2002), Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. And now Kentucky!

4 Kentucky Pets is pleased to report that SB 24 has passed the Kentucky state legislature! The purpose of this bill is to strengthen Kentucky's animal cruelty statutes by adding a felony provision for extreme acts of cruelty such as torture, mutilation and malicious killing. The bill has also been signed by Governor Patton.

THANK YOU SENATOR TOM BUFORD, who fought so hard to the bitter end!

THANK YOU SENATOR DAMON THAYER, who spoke passionately in favor of the bill during the final Senate debate.

THANK YOU TO THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE REP. JODY RICHARDS AND FLOOR MAJORITY LEADER REP. GREG STUMBO.

Please call and thank them!