Mississippi Legislature: Approve Senator Hill's bill to strengthen animal cruelty laws

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.

Who's signing

Charlotte Crane
Diane Golden
Hannah Hamilton
Renee' Jennings
Denise Ratliff
Rhonda & Todd Bertolet
Savannah Smith
Natalie Jones
Kimberly Coalter
Joanne & Ed Phipps
Wendell and Kathy Mabry
Deanne Tanksley
Ginna Holyoak
Christine Nelson
Louis Capella
Anita Brewer
Tom Waggener
Stephanie Watkins
Shelby Sifers
2,485 SIGNATURES
100,000 signatures

Will you sign?


Showing 2303 reactions

  • Charlotte Crane
    I wish i could post pictures here :(
  • Diane Golden
  • Hannah Hamilton
  • Renee' Jennings
  • Denise Ratliff
  • Rhonda & Todd Bertolet
  • Savannah Smith
  • Natalie Jones
    Sign the petition: Mississippi Congress: Approve SB2174 to strengthen animal cruelty laws for dogs and cats
  • Natalie Jones
  • Kimberly Coalter
  • Joanne & Ed Phipps
  • Wendell and Kathy Mabry
    While working as a federal park ranger, I have rescued abandoned and abused animals for decades. It is proven that animal abuse often leads to “human” abuse. Let’s finally allow the punishment to fit the crime by making the first offense of animal cruelty a FELONY. It definitely could save a “human’s” life somewhere down the “line”! As a voting constituent, I ask you to do the “right” thing this time and not allow lobbyists to influence your decision as you are there to represent ALL of the people, not a few special interest groups! I vote too!


    Thank you,

    Kate Mabry
  • Deanne Tanksley
  • Ginna Holyoak
    Sign the petition: Mississippi Congress: Approve SB2174 to strengthen animal cruelty laws for dogs and cats
  • Ginna Holyoak
  • Christine Nelson
  • Louis Capella
  • Anita Brewer
    I despise abuse of any kind.I LOVE animals.
  • Tom Waggener
    Sign the petition: Mississippi Congress: Approve SB2174 to strengthen animal cruelty laws for dogs and cats
  • Stephanie Watkins
    Sign the petition: Mississippi Congress: Approve SB2174 to strengthen animal cruelty laws for dogs and cats
  • Tom Waggener
  • Stephanie Watkins
    SB2174 Helps with speaking for our domestic house pets! They are more than just property, they are family! We need to protect them from neglect, abuse, and mistreatment as you would want to be treated!!
  • Shelby Sifers
    As a Mississippian, I support SB2174 and the benefits it will provide to Mississippi’s animals and residents. This bill will help to change the perception of cats and dogs to protect them from cruel and unnecessary abuse and neglect. A society is judged on the way they treat animals, and most states have made incredible progress in the last few decades. My hope is that Mississippi can work to catch up; better late than never!