(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents the Humane Society.)
By Jamar Younger | AZ Capitol Times
Key Points:
- Bill expands criminal charges for the cruel neglect of pets
- Bill received bipartisan support
- Bill will now head to the Senate for final read
After weeks of negotiations, the House approved an animal cruelty bill that would bring criminal charges against people who abuse their pets.
Senate Bill 1658 passed the House 34-18 on June 12 with bipartisan support despite objections from some Republicans who viewed certain provisions of the bill as overly punitive.
Most of the Democrats voted for the bill, while the majority of Republicans disapproved of the measure. Republican Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, sponsored the bill and worked with Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, to move it through the House.
The legislation would require pet owners to provide food, water and shelter to their animals, and expand the definition of animal cruelty to include failing to provide medical attention for a pet. It also adds charges for subjecting an animal to cruel neglect.
“It is common sense, does not affect livestock, does not affect people experiencing homelessness, very straightforward language,” said Humane Society President and CEO Dr. Steven Hansen in an interview earlier this month.
