2012’s Best New State Laws for Animals

Friday, December 28, 2012 - 10:00am
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Guest blog by Ann Church, Vice President of State Affairs, ASPCA Government Relations

Thanks to the support of animal advocates like you, the ASPCA’s Government Relations team was able to expand greatly this year, increasing our ability to fight for better laws for animals in all 50 states. As 2012 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on some of this year’s legislative accomplishments on behalf of animals. Here is a small sampling of state-level victories that the ASPCA and our mighty Advocacy Brigade helped secure in 2012:

California—“Hounding” of Wildlife
California has banned hounding, a form of trophy hunting in which radio-collared dogs are released in forests to chase and tree bears and bobcats.

Idaho—Felony Cruelty
2012 will be remembered as the year that Idaho, a long-time holdout, finally enacted a law making animal torture a felony offense. The state made cockfighting a felony as well.

Massachusetts—Animal Control Reform
Among other achievements, this far-reaching, comprehensive new law creates a statewide spay/neuter program, prohibits breed-specific legislation, places restrictions on outdoor tethering, and allows pets to be included in domestic violence-related protection orders.

New Jersey—Horse Slaughter
New Jersey banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption as well as their transport through the state—a very meaningful provision, given the continued problem of export of horses over the border for slaughter.

Ohio—Exotic Pet Ownership and Puppy Mill Regulations
Ohio’s Dangerous Wild Animal Act passed seven months after 56 exotic animals were released by their owner. (Most were killed.) Ohio was one of only a handful of states with virtually no regulations on wild/exotic animal pet ownership. In addition, the state passed its first-ever puppy mill law, which sets standards of care and requires annual inspections.

Tennessee—Felony Cruelty to Livestock
While most states exempt farm animals from their animal cruelty statues, Tennessee became one of the first to make extreme acts of cruelty to livestock subject to felony-level penalties.

It’s important to remember that these victories, as well as the countless others, could not have been achieved without collaboration among state legislators and humane advocacy groups. Let’s all continue to champion stronger laws protecting our nation’s animals and make 2013 an even better year!

Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to learn more.

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Advocacy
Animal Cruelty
Puppy Mills
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Comments

Fri, 12/28/2012 - 13:35 — elizabeth (Visitor)
my dad was by yellow breaches creek in PA by camp hill we wanted to tell you before winter comes so he or she lives and survives it was in the field exactly next to the creek good luck :)

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 09:59 — Upstater (Visitor)
New York State needs to catch up with California, New Jersey, Oregon when it comes to animal advocacy & stronger laws. We have a vast state between the busy streets of Manhattan & the rolling hills of the Adirondacks, so we need to protect our companion animals & wildlife! NYS needs to move animal crimes out of Ag & Market codes and into the Penal code. Time to update old laws & ways of doing things! We need to rid the state of puppy mills & reform our VERY antiquated animal control association. The ASPCA is based in NYC so I would hope their home state would be a TOP priority because this state's animals are not fully protected like other states.

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 23:24 — Eleanor Seepes (Visitor)
Operation of puppy mills should be deemed a crime. That is what it is in truth: a crime. True breeders know this, the public knows this, why doesn't Albany know this? Legislators should visit--unannounced--the puppy mills in NYS--see what is the truth. NOW!

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 23:31 — Lisa (Visitor)
In this law what will be the consequence whit this Law. What will happened to the owners of the Mills. Will they be Finer will they do Time!!! Because time would be the Best for The Criminals.. not a you pank on the Hands but Time away from there Loved Ones! I hope this Laws will be Worth are time that we did prep all those papers and used all the ink. If I made a Law it would be that if u as an over should be fined and procutue them

Tue, 01/01/2013 - 19:33 — Kathy F obtained (Visitor)
What finally happened to Betty under your care?

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 18:49 — Kymberly Sedillos (Visitor)
I would like to know if Betty survived her injuries and wonder if she is leading a normal dogs life? And how do I go about putting into affect rules, regulations and/or laws for puppy mills across the US? All businesses like those need yearly routine UNANNOUNCED visits to make sure animals (dogs and cats) are cared for properly.

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 20:47 — marsha reed (Visitor)
I have seen the ad on tv several times today about Betty and her pups. I am left hanging wondering if Betty survived her injuries and what happened to her and her pups. Can you please let me know? I get tears in my eyes everytime I see the ASPCA ads on rv.

Thu, 01/03/2013 - 09:18 — Penny (Visitor)
Thank you for all of the work that you do to protect our animals.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 09:50 — Rose Mullany (Visitor)
It seems to me that too many people neglect their cats kittnes. We recently found two feral kittens that we had feed for a week or so and now have captured in a trap. They are the cutest kittle beautiful works of God and are taking their time in trusting us(socializing). They are now in a warm and loving home with lots of food. We will (as soon as they are confortable enugh) take them to the Doctor for testing a shots) of course later on spay and neuter, I beleive they will be socialized and make someone a loving pet.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 11:57 — Kathryn M Seeds (Visitor)
I am an avid animal lover and protector but truly have limited funds. What concrete action can I or any animal lover take to help protect animal abuse and neglect? Are there ASPCA Offices in every state? Thank you for ALL that you do to promote animal awareness!

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 12:07 — Ellen (Visitor)
It is encouraging to see the new laws passed in several states. I hope enforcement doesn't become an afterthought. The felony for livestock cruelty is especially surprising and wonderful. I wish Texas would be proactive in this area. Also banning foi gras in all states and cracking down seriously on animal fighting. A robust cybercrimes and on-going undercover investigative infrastructure to help catch these vile criminals and laws that put them away for a very long time would.make my dreams come true. Oh if the funding was available.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 18:16 — Lois DeWitt (Visitor)
I hope that in the near future our government addresses the cruelties in livestock raising, feeding and slaughtering.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 20:54 — Nancy (Visitor)
My wish for the animals of California is that builders and people would stop building in the hills. The higher they go, the less area for the animals that lived there first. Then home owners complain about the animals. Give me a break, where do you want them to go, you are in their livingroom, not the other way around.

Fri, 01/04/2013 - 21:23 — Shelby (Visitor)
In my class there is a girl named Micah and she is mean to her dogs :( I want to save those pour animals,already reported her though.

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 07:42 — Lynn Boudreau (Visitor)
Please tell your teacher, your parents, a fireman or policeman as soon as possible. Let them know you are very worried about Micah's pets, as you think she is hurting them.

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 17:00 — tamara ei (Visitor)
stop

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 17:00 — tamara ei (Visitor)
stop

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 17:00 — tamara ei (Visitor)
stop

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 10:34 — Susan spencer (Visitor)
I have been recently blessed with a new job - the first thing I did was to donate to all the beautiful animals out there. I can't give but $20 a month for now, but every blessing I receive, Nature's Beauties shall also be blessed. Thank You, for being there!

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 00:47 — mt45 (Visitor)
That's awesome Susan - every little bit really does help. You're making a difference with every penny you can give.

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 17:19 — Gyarai (Visitor)
Puerto Rico has too many stray animals. And I want to stop this. I want to see all those dogs and cats in homes or safe from the very busy streets. I was wondering if Puerto Rico has an organization for capturing stray animals.

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 22:29 — Kate (Visitor)
All of us have achieved something in our life. Maybe it's an A on your quiz, coming first place in a race. But we can do more than that. You can achieve higher goals. If you set a goal and put your mind to it you can do anything. If you really want to donate to ASPCA but you don't have enough out of your budget, start any kind of sale or offering. I know we all can make a difference. One Day!

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 00:53 — mt45 (Visitor)
The progress in Idaho is better than nothing, but, it should be pointed out that the only a a third offense constitutes a felony. And as difficult it is for animal abuse to be revealed and to be prosecuted - I doubt there will ever be a felony animal cruelty charge under that statute. Creative and dedicated prosecutors can find ways to punish these people (see the Boise Zoo Monkey killer charged with felony grand theft). But Idaho is still way behind - there's still work to do there.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 16:32 — mendi (Visitor)
In my opinion, rescuing animals help but not much. We should start from childhood, teaching small kids about loving/protecting the animals. At the same time laws need be set much stricter, punishment enforced harsher for animal cruelty, puppy milling,etc. Also,STOP breeding for sale & vanity. We human species have gotten so much inter-cultural/racial marriages. Nothing wrong with that, why do we have to have pure-bred pets? More over, purebreds mean many more "genetic" health issues to the animals. What for?! Educate the public NOT to buy so-called purebreds. When nobody wants purebreds, the breeders won't get to pump more. I think making ownership cost a lot more (registrations, buying health insurance, dog-bite insurance etc.) might discourage people from buying purebreds??

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:03 — Katie (Visitor)
I agree with you. There are certainly reputable breeders out there who take excellent and top notch care of the new animals, but this is still ridiculous. So often I hear, in reference to bred dogs, "At least you know what you are getting." This, to me, is so sad and human-centered. Adoption centers are just as wonderful as adopting a purebred coming from a breeder- reputable or not. I think some people are turned off by animal shelters because they can smell and they are often run down and dirty, but this atmosphere should not reflect upon the wonderful animals in the shelter. I have met (and have) many wonderful cats and dogs at animal shelters with little to no health issues, and it GREATLY pains me to see them euthanized because someone else would rather spend $800+ on a purebred dog.

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 16:49 — Michele (Visitor)
Purebred animals once occurred either naturally or were produced by crossing to create a breed for a specific purpose. Purebreds are beautiful specimens of their breed, and responsible breeders make little or no money from breeding their animals--they do it for the love of the breed. Most animals that end up in shelters are random-bred, from people who neglect to spay and neuter their pets, as well as letting them roam. Look up the history of various breeds of animals to find their origin and purpose. Granted, genetic diseases do occur in purebred animals, but breeders stay aware and work to eliminate those with genetic problems from their breeding stock. Breeders focus on quality, not quantity. People who advertise on Craigslist and other sites that they have a "purebred" animal for sale are scammers and mill owners who are part of the problem. If you shut down one animal mill, it goes elsewhere and sets up shop again. Spaying and neutering are part of the solution. Also, if you must buy a purebred, either buy a pet-quality animal from a breeder--they're usually spayed/neutered--or adopt through a breed rescue.

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 16:51 — Michele (Visitor)
Purebred animals once occurred either naturally or were produced by crossing to create a breed for a specific purpose. Purebreds are beautiful specimens of their breed, and responsible breeders make little or no money from breeding their animals--they do it for the love of the breed. Most animals that end up in shelters are random-bred, from people who neglect to spay and neuter their pets, as well as letting them roam. Look up the history of various breeds of animals to find their origin and purpose. Granted, genetic diseases do occur in purebred animals, but breeders stay aware and work to eliminate those with genetic problems from their breeding stock. Breeders focus on quality, not quantity. People who advertise on Craigslist and other sites that they have a "purebred" animal for sale are scammers and mill owners who are part of the problem. If you shut down one animal mill, it goes elsewhere and sets up shop again. Spaying and neutering are part of the solution. Also, if you must buy a purebred, either buy a pet-quality animal from a breeder--they're usually spayed/neutered--or adopt through a breed rescue.

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 18:40 — Feather (Visitor)
It's great to see the recent laws passed to protect animals. Personally I think all puppy mills & back yard breeders should be shut down until there are no more homeless dogs (or cats) in shelters, rescues or foster. Also, animal cruelty or neglect should be a FELONY, not a misdemenor in every state!

Fri, 01/25/2013 - 05:19 — deb (Visitor)
Ive been trying to find info on slaughtering a horse to feed their dogs. actually raising them to feed their dogs.. I live in Maricopa, AZ while i was visitin a friend the neighbor has lots of german shepards , and a few horses and some colts. these folks are raising these horses to feed their dogs. last week i saw them put a rope around the horse tied him to a tree ,rope from the horse to the truck and hung him. thats three this week ....... The kids are skinning them ,,laughing throwing axes at them playing like their in a / bouncey house / their full of blood, its crazy. these dogs have killed two colts and yesterday 4 of the dogs took down one of the horses. HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe future serial killers???????????? thats first signs ,killing animals

Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:06 — Katie (Visitor)
I don't know Arizona laws regarding animal cruelty, but is this something you can report to law enforcement? It seems like that kind of abuse is illegal, but I know that 'livestock' are exempt from animal cruelty laws. I wonder if horses are considered 'livestock.'

Fri, 03/01/2013 - 12:54 — E.goodman (Visitor)
WHILE WE ARE ON THE SUBJECT OF CRUELTY, I HOPE THE WORD GETS OUT THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST VENDORS ON QVC IS DENNIS BASSO, WHO SELLS REAL FUR IN HIS DESIGNER BUSINESS. IF MORE PEOPLE KNEW, AND WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT HIM, MAYBE HE COULD BE PUSHED OUT.

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 20:22 — Patrick Oliver (Visitor)
Congratulations you all!

Mon, 04/29/2013 - 18:00 — Brenda Tucker (Visitor)
West Virginia need stronger laws to protect animals and laws updated, there are farms open in Preston County where beastlility is aloud!! Laws need changed and updated!!! In law books it states that as long as animal is above 30/35 lbs, it's aloud !! Please help!!!

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