Animal Protection Laws By State

Florida lawmakers recently introduced a bill that would make animal abuse a federal offense.

It is a federal crime to record or distribute videos depicting animal abuse, according to legislation passed in 2010, but the actual act of animal cruelty isn’t punishable on a federal level.

If the bill – a bipartisan effort backed by Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch and Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan – is passed, people charged with harming animals will face fines and up to seven years in prison, according to The New York Times. 

Right now, animal cruelty cases are handled by the states, whose felony provisions have a wide range. For example, in some states, cruelty, neglect, fighting, sexual assault and abandonment of animals all result in felony charges. But in other states, felonies only result from the abuse of certain types of animals. 

Beyond felony provisions, states also differ in how they treat repeat offenders, “hot car” regulations and other laws involving the safety of animals. 

The Animal Defense Legal Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the interest of animals through the legal system, released a report in January ranking states by the strength of their animal protection laws. 

For the 11th year in a row, Illinois took the top spot in the ranking. Illinois has increased penalties for repeat animal abusers, requires counseling for certain offenders, and law enforcement officers are allowed to rescue animals trapped in hot cars, according to the report. Additionally, the state can issue protective orders for animals and courts can order people to forfeit their animal pre-conviction. 

Oregon, ranked No. 2, has increased penalties when abuse is committed in the presence of a minor and can restrict someone’s future ownership of animals upon conviction. The state also details comprehensive laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. Maine, Colorado and Massachusetts round out the five best states for animals.

One the other hand, the nonprofit ranked Kentucky last, citing how the state only has felony provisions for cruelty and fighting, both against only select types of animals. Kentucky prohibits veterinarians from reporting suspected cruelty or fighting, and the state has no laws regarding the sexual assault of animals. New Mexico, Wyoming, Iowa and Mississippi join Kentucky at the bottom of the ranking list.

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