Legislation that will help deter animal cruelty has been proposed Rep. Brenda Barton. In addition, the legislation criminalizes the hoarding of animals and increases penalties for repeat offenders.
The bill passed out of the Senate Natural Resources and Rural Affairs Committee on February 19, 2014. It passed out of the House Agriculture and Water Committee February 11, 2014.
“Animal mistreatment is both appalling and unacceptable,” Barton said. “This legislation will help protect all animals, livestock and pets from suffering the wilful and malicious infliction of pain.”
The main provisions of House Bill 2587 (HB2587) and its counterpart Senate Bill 1267 (SB1267) are:
• Strengthens coordination between the Arizona Department of Agriculture and other law enforcement agencies investigating reported animal abuse
• Classifies the hoarding of animals as animal cruelty
• Increases penalties for repeat offenders of animal cruelty laws
• Allows a judge to order repeat offenders to undergo a psychological evaluation and counseling
• Requires evidence of animal cruelty to be reported to law enforcement within five days
“The vast majority of farmers, ranchers and pet owners care for their animals responsibly,” Barton added. “Those who do not must be held accountable immediately, so that suffering is stopped and perpetrators are punished.”