Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law making animal torture a felony on the first offense, with a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
A dog named Ember stood on the table near the bill as Reynolds signed it.
Tom Colvin of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa says Ember arrived at their facility at just eight weeks old with a broken leg, a broken jaw, a severely injured eye, and other wounds. Police had rescued the puppy during a domestic violence investigation.
Colvin and other advocates cite studies indicating 70% of people who torture animals have committed another crime, and 40% of those crimes involved violence against a human.
The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate this year.
Senator Mike Bousselot of Ankeny says a felony penalty is appropriate for anyone who tortures an animal.
Representative Samantha Fett of Carlisle — who owns three German Shepherds — says the bill was the right thing to do.
KIWA Staff Photo
