By Marissa Payne, Des Moines Register
Iowans will face new felony penalties for torturing companion animals under a bill that now awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds‘ signature to become law.
At last, House File 2348 answers animal welfare advocates’ calls to fix Iowa’s status as the only state where it is an aggravated misdemeanor to torture companion animals on first offense, according to the advocacy group Humane World Action Fund.
The House unanimously passed the bill on March 6, but animal welfare advocates ramped up pressure on the Senate to bring it to a vote. It advanced cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee in February and went more than two months without reaching the floor.
But the Senate took it up Wednesday, unanimously advancing it with changes that sent the measure back to the House. It passed the House again unanimously on Thursday, April 30, moving it to Reynolds’ desk.
“I do believe that this strengthens Iowa’s commitment to protecting animals and ensuring that the most heinous acts are punished,” said Rep. Samantha Fett, R-Carlisle, who introduced the bill with Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Dallas Center.
A person would be found guilty of animal torture who “intentionally, willfully, and maliciously mutilates, burns, poisons, drowns, starves or causes intensive or prolonged pain or death to a companion animal, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same” under the legislation.
Under current law, a person is guilty of animal torture if they “intentionally or knowingly inflict on an animal severe and prolonged or repeated physical pain that causes the animal’s serious injury or death.”
Lawmakers advanced the bill with an amendment enhancing penalties to a class C felony for repeat offenders of animal abuse, animal torture, injury to or interference with a police service dog, bestiality or an act involving a prohibited contest such as dog fighting.
In Iowa, a class D felony is punishable up to five years in jail or prison and a fine between $1,025 and $10,245. A class C felony is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of a maximum fine of $13,660.
Advocates cited research showing animal abuse can be a precursor to violence against humans and argued the felony charge should be automatic for animal abusers.
“I believe very strongly that Iowans of all backgrounds do not want to see animal cruelty crimes go unpunished in this state,” Preston Moore, state director Humane World for Animals, said in a news conference outside the Iowa Capitol earlier this month. “I believe most people in our state believe these crimes are unacceptable.”
Lawmakers said the bill was “long overdue.”
“We know the link between that behavior and how it will affect society as a whole in the future, that it is predictive of not only malignant personality, but predictive that they are going to harm a person,” said Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Ankeny.
Iowa law enforcement groups backed the measure.
Lt. Liz Quinn with the Story County Sheriff’s Office, president of the Iowa State Sheriff’s and Deputies Association, said it strengthens penalties for animal cruelty and gives law enforcement clearer tools to address these cases.
“Law enforcement across the state often encounter cases where animals are subjected to extreme and prolonged suffering, and current penalties do not always reflect the severity of those acts,” Quinn said in the news conference. “Our hope is that this would deter future animal abuse and that it would hold these offenders accountable for these heinous acts.”
Stay in the know with stories that matter — visit HolaAmericaNews.com for the latest news, culture, and community updates!
Facebook Comments