As many of you know animal abuse is a horrible thing that happens all across America. I am an Iowa resident and have been for years. Just recently I saw someone abusing their dog outside of their house. I called 911 and they told me there was nothing they could do that I had to call dispatch to make a complaint, so I did as they asked. Dispatch then sent someone out, the officer then told me that in Iowa there are two types of animal abuse, physical and neglect. However, in Iowa a pet is considered property, so the owner can "train" or abuse as I would see it, their animal as they see fit, which includes but is not limited to kicking, beating, hitting, and so on. However, if someone else were to abuse another persons animal, then that in fact is animal abuse (meaning if I went into my neighbors yard and hit or kick the dog as he did, he could call the police and I could be arrested and charged for animal abuse). So basically it boils down to you can abuse your animal as you see fit and get away with it in the state Iowa.

I have done some research and I can tell Iowa is one of the few states where this is allowed, most states do have a action plan where it can be considered a misdemeanor up to a class C felony.

What I would like to see happen is the laws change in Iowa. Making it NOT okay to abuse animals because they are considered property. Animals need to be treated fairly and not beat because they made a mistake.

Also, the officer told me that if we didn't get it on video it never happened. So instead of proceeding with the investigation, the officer said there was nothing he could do because of the laws. This caused an uproar in my mind. I can understand the fact that they need proof, but I think an investigation still needs to take place, and they need to get a warrant and search the home and check on the well being of the animal, however the law protects the owner from that happening.

So I am asking you to please to sign this petition to help me on my journey in getting a law passed to protect innocent pets from being abused. There needs to be something established where any reports of animal abuse need to be investigated and taken seriously. As of right now there are no laws to protect these innocent animals from abuse from their owners, only when someone else does it. I think this can make a difference in communities all across Iowa because it would save many animals from harm and causing unnecessary attacks from animals that are abused.