TRACY ROOT
BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers have given final passage to a bill that would toughen penalties for those who abuse animals.
The House and Senate gave final approval to the so-called PAWS bill — short for Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety — during the legislature’s informal session this week.
The bill would raise the maximum prison time from five to seven years for a first offense and up to 10 years for any subsequent offenses. It also would increase the possible fine for committing animal abuse from $2,500 to $5,000 for a first offense, and up to $10,000 for any subsequent offenses.
The bill now heads to Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk for his signature before becoming law.
The bill’s sponsor, Gloucester Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr, has pointed to the need for stiffer penalties by citing the case of a dog, “Puppy Doe” that was euthanized after being found beaten and tortured in Quincy last year.
“Animal abuse in our commonwealth is simply unacceptable,” Tarr, the Senate’s Republican leader, said in a written statement Thursday. “Now we have acted to increase penalties to send a clear and immediate message.”
The bill also would require veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse — similar to the requirement for medical staff who suspect child abuse.
The legislation also would create a special task force of experts in law enforcement, animal protection, veterinary practice, and legal and industry professionals to review methods to prevent animal abuse and punish those who commit animal abuse.
Southwick Animal Control Officer Tracy Root said that the bill is a “sign of the times.”
“I think it’s awesome. It’s going to really help when it comes to people who bring animals in that the vet knows are abuse cases,” she said. “They (veterinarians) are going to have to let us know, and I think thats great because too many (animals) get slid under the rug.”
Root said that many vets are afraid to stick their necks out for fear that it will impact their business.
“If the state says they have to report it, it is like a police officer seeing child abuse – you have to report it,” she said. “It takes the weight off the vet as far as being a snitch, and puts it on the state.”
“Animals are part of our families and we have to treat them and give them as many rights as possible. This just gives them more rights to be safe,” Root said.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals applauded Massachusetts lawmakers for passing the measure.
“The deliberate and egregious acts of cruelty inflicted upon Puppy Doe were the stuff of nightmares, and a gross violation of the humane values of Massachusetts’ citizens,” said Bill Ketzer, senior state director of ASPCA Government Relations for the Northeast region. “We applaud every state lawmaker who stepped forward in the grave shadow cast by Puppy Doe, acting quickly to demonstrate that animal cruelty must never be tolerated. We strongly urge Governor Patrick to sign this legislation into law to ensure the strongest possible protections for victims of cruelty, so no animal suffers the terrible fate of Puppy Doe.”
“We’re very pleased that this crucial legislation has passed, and we extend our thanks to Representatives Louis Kafka and Bruce Ayers, and Senator Bruce Tarr who championed these reforms in the legislature,” said Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy for MSPCA-Angell. “We also thank every caring citizen who contacted state legislators to urge for stronger laws to punish animal abusers, and most importantly, to work to prevent cruelty from happening in the first place. Animal lovers around the state can today celebrate these efforts and hopefully find some peace knowing that from such tragic incidents, like Puppy Doe and others, awareness has been generated that will now prevent harm to other helpless animals.”
The Animal Rescue League of Boston responded to the case of “Puppy Doe,” a tiny dog who was systematically and brutally tortured over several months. Her injuries were so severe that sadly, euthanasia was the only humane option. The gut-wrenching details of this case prompted a review of the Commonwealth’s animal cruelty laws and a renewed interest to increase penalties for cases involving torture, mutilation and other vicious and calculated acts of cruelty.
Earlier this year, Gov. Patrick also signed animal protection bills into law to assist pets in disasters and ban the cruel practice of shark finning. The pets in disasters law requires local governments to include strategies in their emergency operations plans to support the needs of people with household pets or service animals in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
