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Animal Abuse: a Felony in Kansas

Monday, April 18, 2006 Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed a new animal cruelty law, making it a felony to abuse an animal. Now, those convicted of animal cruelty will serve at least 30 days in jail and pay a fine of $500 to $5,000. In jail, they must have a psychological evaluation and complete an anger management course. Unintentionally neglecting an animal remains a misdemeanor, but a second conviction means a minimum of five days in jail. The new law goes into affect July 1.

For many years, legislators, humane societies and pet lovers have promoted this change. Many Behavioral Experts have long espoused the link between animal cruelty and violence toward people. Originally known as “Scruffy’s Law,” named for the tiny Kansas City terrier beaten and burned to death in 1997, animal cruelty bills came and went each Kansas legislative session without passage.

This year, Senator David Haley proposed the change again. It was dubbed “Magnum’s Law,” after a puppy who died from abuse in Wichita last August. After much debate in the house and senate Kansas now joins 41 other states who have enacted stiffer penalties for animal abuse.

Magnum and Scruffy’s cries have finally been heard.

States who currently have no “Felony” penalties for animal abuse: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah.