LANSING – The Michigan House today passed legislation sponsored by State Representative John Espinoza (D-Croswell) calling for harsher penalties for people convicted of animal cruelty charges. Espinoza's bill changes sentencing guidelines so that those convicted of multiple offenses of animal cruelty or neglect receive more severe punishment.
"Prosecutors need the tools to effectively punish the individuals who commit these heinous crimes," Espinoza said. "This legislation sends the message that the people of Michigan don't take animal cruelty lightly."
Espinoza was moved to sponsor the bill by a Buel Township case in which police found 70 dead and starving animals on a Marlette Road farm. 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 for perpetrators is 93 days in jail.
Espinoza's legislation makes cases involving between four and nine animals or a person with a prior conviction for animal cruelty punishable by up to two years in prison. Cases involving 10 or more animals or a person with two or more prior convictions would be punishable by up to four years in prison.
"It was our attempt to close some of the loopholes," Espinoza said.
Also included in the package is a bill by State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township). Byrnes' bill will prohibit the intentional killing, torture, mutilation, maiming or disfigurement of an animal. Those convicted of any of those offenses could face up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.