Animal Legal Defense Fund Releases Ranking of State Animal Protection Laws
Earlier this year the Animal Legal Defense Fund released a 3-page report ranking all fifty U.S. states and the District of Columbia based on the strength and comprehensiveness of their state anti-cruelty laws.
Although ALDF makes it clear that all the states’ laws need to be strengthened, the states that ranked best were California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan and Oregon, while those that ranked worst were Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, North Dakota and Utah.
The latter five states fell into the worst category because, among other things, they either did not have any felony anti-cruelty provisions or because, in the case of Kentucky, felony provisions applied only to select situations.
ALDF also provides a list of Jurisdictions with Felony Animal Abuse Provisions and the year of enactment.
By way of quick definition, a felony is "a crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by death or a term in state or federal prison… [or] a crime carrying a minimum term of one year or more in state prison," [note: given the legal status of animals, whether wild or designated as "property," the death penalty has never been, not is unlikely ever to be, imposed in any animal cruelty case], while a misdemeanor is "a lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for up to one year… [and]are tried in the lowest local court such as municipal, police or justice courts."
I would not consider myself an animal’s rights activist but I do not take animal cruelty lightly. Just the other day I was driving by a homeless man and his dog when my boyfriend made fun of me for caring about the dog and how the dog had no food or water and did not even mention the dogs. He looks as animals as being just that, animals. They have no rational thinking or rights so they are not that important. I, however, can not resist any animal. Pets are the most rewarding thing to have around and see someone even think about abusing that pet is crazy. With shows like Animal Cops on the Animal Planet, people who abuse are getting what they deserve. People are getting punished and I totally agree with that. I respect any organization with a similar cause.
Hillary,
Thanks for your comment. Our awareness of the intrinsic value of animals as sentient beings is fortunately increasing, perhaps in light of scientists’ ability to “prove” what many have intuitively known all along. The artificially imposed line between humans (who are, of course, animals as well) and animals is further blurred when one realizes that we share much of our DNA with these so-called lesser beings; we share 96% with chimpanzees, for example http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html
I also try to keep in mind what Mahatma Gandhi said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
hi i really need help and not sure where to turn to, long story short, i rescued a 6wk old puppy from a dangerous situation and yes i did take the animal and a day later he got really sick took him to the er vet and had bloody runny stool that actually looked like mangled intestines, and had terrible case of fleas. left outside in the elemtns rain and other dogs runny loose in the neighborhood, anyway took to vet explained situation and stated you probably save his life, gave treatment of flees, penicillian shot for invection and special food to watch him, by tuesday had regular bowel finally at 830pm on night of sept 5th, rescued on sept 2nd, anyway knock on the door and police here for warrant for my arrerest, larceny of dog, and stolden goods (like he was nothing), anyway went to jail, posted unsecured bond court on sept 20th, i really need advice and help, no money and please if anyone see this please help . unforuntately owners have puppy back and you know how that goes.
my name is lindaa
828=235=9107
please help or direct me
linda m mic
Linda,
Perhaps you could contact ALDF and see if one of the attorneys on their roster can assist you:
ALDF
170 E. Cotati Ave.
Cotati, CA 94931
Phone: (707) 795-2533
Fax: (707) 795-7280
Email: info@aldf.org
Hi I am a second semester veterinary student at St. Matthews Veterinary School. For my clinical skills class we have to obtain a copy of the animal protection law for the state we are most interested in. Can you give me any information on how to obtain either California or Oregon’s Animal Protection Law. Thank you