Stronger Animal Protection Laws in Iowa Now.

A quick Google search returns harrowing stories of animals who have been killed, maimed or neglected by irresponsible and cruel human beings. Sometimes the guilty party is convicted but many times they walk free or receive sentences that amount to little more than a slap on the wrist.

One of the main reasons for these lax sentences is the lack of laws that help the abused animals bite back. After all, if the law doesn't deem animal cruelty a crime worthy of serious punishment then, legally, the police, courts, and others can't do much.

That's why it is so important to encourage states and national governments to step up and pass real animal cruelty laws that don't deliver admonishments but real punishment. And that is just what could be happening in Iowa.

Iowa was ranked as the 49th worst state for animal protections, just above Kentucky.

The state is now trying to do bring its animal protection laws into the 21st century with SF218 — a new bill that would clarify the definition of animal abuse or neglect, make animal torture a felony on the first offense and enhances penalties of other abuses based on their severity.

This bill will make it harder for animal abusers to get away with cruelty and keep them off the streets so they can't hurt other innocent creatures.

Please show your support for Iowa's effort to enhance their animal abuse laws. Sign the petition and tell Iowa state representatives and Gov. Kim Reynolds to protect animals and pass this bill.