Animal abuse can be prosecuted as a crime on the state levels, but many states are failing to pass laws to protect animals. In some states there are certain categories for animal abuse to be a felony. Animal abuse is not considered a felony in some states. Many who have abused animals are given small fines or a "slap on the wrist". Animals can not speak out for themselves when they are being abused. Animals can feel the same emotions human beings feel because in a way we are all the same. United States' state legislatures need to tighten the laws on animals abuse. We need to protect our animals by making animal abuse a felony.
After hearing about a dog being attacked with a machete in Virginia Beach and the attackers getting no punishment, Senator bill DeSteph began to push for a law about animal abuse. It took Senator DeSteph years to make the law happen, but a recent story caught the public's attention that they wanted to make animal abuse a felony. In Richmond's Abner Clay Park, a pit bull was found tied to a pole, doused in accelerant, and set on fire. The pit bull's name was Tommie and he passed away five days after being found in the park. When the public heard Tommie's story, it touched their hearts that they wanted to honor him by passing a law. Virginia's senators signed the bill on making animal abuse a felony. Governor Ralph Northam was the last to sign the bill making it a law which will take effect on July 1. Under the new law, the penalty for cruelly or unnecessarily beating, maiming, mutilating, or killing a dog or cat was increased to a class-6 felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 2,500 dollars. The crime should match the punishment because it is a inhumane act to harm a animal.
Overall, there are a lot of horrible stories throughout the United States like Tommie's. In each story the animal abusers do not get the punishment they deserve instead they get a "slap on the wrist". It is estimated that there are 250,000 animals falling victim to animal abuse every year. Animals can not speak up for themselves when they are being abused so the United States' state legislatures need to make laws that make animals abuse a felony to keep them protected.
