We are writing to ask you, no, we are pleading with you to approve Desmond's Law - House Bill 6187. It honestly makes us ill to think that we, as a country in whole, do not take violence toward animals more seriously. We are not a third world country or uneducated. We should not allow this violence, which clearly has potential to broaden out to violence again the rest of the family, to continue to go overlooked for one more day! Researchers have found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. And another study found that in families under supervision for physical abuse of their children, pet abuse was concurrent in 88% of the families. This is serious! This should be common sense; why isn't it? Please please please approve Desmond's Law- House Bill 6187! Desmond's Law is named for a sweet dog who was beaten, tortured, and strangled to death. His killer got away with Accelerated Rehab, which is a 2-year program for crimes deemed not serious in nature. Unacceptable! Please help change this!