While recognizing they all deserve protection and acknowledging these two groups of animals serve different purposes, says bill sponsor Rep. Brenda Barton.
“House Bill 2587 increases protection for all animals,” stated the bill’s sponsor Rep. Brenda Barton. “It creates a more workable definition between farm animals and pets, so prosecutors can prevent animal cruelty on working farms as well as in non-farm settings.”
Animals involved in agricultural production are very different then animals kept as pets. It is not uncommon for a working farm animal to unintentionally be injured while working around farm equipment.
“The current definitions are unworkable,” said Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, who co-sponsored the bill. “We have been told by prosecutors that existing definitions of animal cruelty may actually be preventing investigations and prosecutions into alleged animal cruelty.”
Animal cruelty cases involving pets and animal hoarding far out weight reports of animal abuse and cruelty. Rep. Barton’s legislation makes animal hoarding a punishable offense, helping to bring this problem to end an end.
“Protecting all animals from the wilful and malicious infliction of pain, while recognizing legal and acceptable agricultural activities is goal of this legislation,” Barton added.
The main provisions of House Bill 2587 and its counterpart Senate Bill 1267 are:
• Strengthens definitions for animal cruelty, making it possible for law enforcement and prosecutors to arrest and prosecute those who abuse animals
• 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