Make Animal Cruelty a Felony in North Dakota
- av: Colleen Cullen
- mottagare: North Dakota Secretary of State, Al Jaeger
In the US, all but three states have made the act of animal cruelty a felony. Among these is North Dakota which still classifies such abuse as a low-level misdemeanor. But animal advocates are taking a stand and looking to change this with newly proposed legislation.
After several failed attempts to strengthen animal legislation in ND, advocates have recently brought their fight to the Secretary of State, Al Jaeger. The measure proposed, entitled The Prevention of Extreme Cruelty to Dogs, Cats and Horses Act, would make it a class C felony to "maliciously and intentionally" burn, poison, crush, skin or otherwise severely harm any dog, cat or horse. The secretary must approve the act for circulation to ensure it moves forward.
Tell Jaeger that ND is far too lax in its animal cruelty legislation. This measure is long overdue and must be approved immediately to secure the fate of ND's beloved companion animals.
We the undersigned are writing to urgently ask that you immediately approve the recently proposed animal cruelty legislation for circulation.
In the US, all but three states have made the act of animal cruelty a felony. Among these is North Dakota which still classifies such abuse as a low-level misdemeanor.
It is time to make a change. The measure proposed here, entitled The Prevention of Extreme Cruelty to Dogs, Cats and Horses Act, would make it a class C felony to "maliciously and intentionally" burn, poison, crush, skin or otherwise severely harm any dog, cat or horse. This punishment is necessary to deter animal abusers across the state. We cannot continue to put our animals in harm's way.
North Dakota is far too lax in its animal cruelty legislation. This measure is long overdue. Please immediately approve this measure for circulation to secure the fate of ND's beloved companion animals.
