Senator Angela Hill proposed a senate bill during the 2016 legislative session to strengthen Mississippi's inadequate animal cruelty laws. Though it did not pass, it will be amended and filed again this year. Please read the bill from 2016 and sign the petition to show your support for increased protections for Mississippi's animals!
The legislature is now in session for 2017. We also ask that you contact your state representatives to voice your support. Phone calls and emails make a big difference!!
Mississippi's animal cruelty laws are grossly inadequate. We urge the Mississippi Legislature to pass Senator Hill's proposed animal cruelty bill, SB2600, in order to increase protections for cats and dogs. The proposed cruelty bill will do the following:
-Allow for a felony penalty for first time aggravated cruelty
-Allow law enforcement to charge multiple counts of cruelty, up to ten
-Require psychological counseling for offenders
Violence toward animals is inextricably linked toward violence against humans. By improving animal cruelty laws, we can prevent further violence and dissuade others from breaking the law.
As a state with some of the poorest animal cruelty protections in the nation, Mississippi's negative public image is detrimental to Mississippi's tourism and economic development revenue. It also is a deterrent for potential Mississippi citizens and encourages current citizens to move to places that are more humane toward animals.
The proposed Cruelty Bill is not a threat to farmers and hunters, and will improve the quality of life for Mississippians and Mississippi's cats and dogs.