LANSING – The Michigan House today gave final approval to a plan sponsored by State Representative John Espinoza (D-Croswell) that increases penalties for people convicted of cruelty against animals and gives prosecutors the tools they need to hold the worst offenders accountable.
"This plan fixes the system so we can give people who abuse and neglect animals a punishment that fits this horrible crime," Espinoza said. "Too often, prosecutors have been forced to let the worst offenders off lightly because the law was lacking. With this change, we can make it clear that animal cruelty is a serious crime that carries serious penalties."
Espinoza sponsored the bill after learning about a Buel Township case in which 70 dead and starving animals were discovered on a farm on Marlette Road. Prosecutors said they could not charge the owners with felonies because they could not prove the "willful" and "malicious" intent toward an animal that current law requires. Other violations are misdemeanors, and the maximum punishment is 93 days in jail.
Espinoza's legislation makes the definition of felony animal cruelty and neglect more specific. It allows prosecutors and judges to make decisions based on the defendant's previous animal cruelty or neglect convictions and the number of animals harmed.
Under the plan, a perpetrator with a prior offense – or one who is convicted in an abuse or neglect case involving four to nine animals – could be sent to prison for up to two years. A perpetrator with two or more prior convictions – or one convicted of abusing or neglecting 10 or more animals – could be imprisoned for up to four years.
"Legislative changes like this will make the problem of animal cruelty more visible," Espinoza said. "Whatever we can do to educate people on this problem and protect animals from harm is the right thing to do."