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Tell Mississippi It's Time for an Animal Abuse Bill
  1. Signatures
    1,124 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. The MS State Senate (+ 1 other)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The MS State Senate
      • State Rep. Joseph Steverson (MS-004)
  2. Created By
    Maggie Marton
    Bloomington, IN
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Apr 26, 2011

Mississippi had been one of only four states in the U.S. that did not have a felony animal cruelty law. For several years, legislators tried -- and failed -- to pass legislation. This year, when Sen. Bob Dearing (D-Natchez) introduced the latest bill, hundreds of Change.org community members supported him. After seeing the outpouring of support, Dearing wrote Change.org, "I’m optimistic that 2011 just may be the charm year for my animal cruelty bill." And it was. Mississippi legislators were able to agree on a bill that set felony-level charges for animal abuse and, on April 26, 2011, Governor Barbour signed it into law.

Mississippi recently was ranked one of the "Five Best States to be an Animal Abuser" due in part to the state's lenient animal protection laws. Currently, abuse crimes are a misdemeanor in Mississippi. The penalties are limited to a short jail stint and small fines.

Though a tougher bill was passed through the state's Senate, it was defeated - for several years in a row - by the House.

Senator Bob Dearing is pushing for the House Agriculture Committee to debate a bill in 2011. House Agriculture chairman Greg Ward needs to allow the debate. Stricter laws are required to protect Mississippi's cats and dogs.

Image: henrycountyhumanesociety

Recent Signatures

Mississippi, Pass an Animal Abuse Bill

Greetings,

I'm thrilled that Mississippi's Senate passed a bipartisan animal abuse bill last year, but I'm disappointed that the bill was defeated by the House.

Mississippi was just named one of the "Five Best States to be an Animal Abuser." It's time to pass an animal abuse bill. Mississippi must do a better job ensuring animal welfare. The current regulations, fines and sentencing are far too lenient.

I urge you to fight for legislation in 2011 that would penalize animal abusers, and I urge you to work on harsher sentencing for those who abuse animals. Mississippi's animals deserve better.

[Your name]

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