SENATOR DON HUMASON
BOSTON – Senator Don Humason (R-2nd Hampden & Hampshire District) is pleased to announce the passage of the PAWS Act in the Massachusetts State Senate. PAWS stands for Protect Animal Welfare and Safety.
Humason joined with his colleagues in the Senate on Thursday, the final night of formal legislative sessions, to unanimously pass Senate Bill S. 2345, An Act protecting animal welfare and safety. It was passed by a vote of 40-0.
The bill was filed by State Senator Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester) and co-sponsored by Humason and others in the Senate and House.
“As an animal lover myself I am always angered and disgusted to hear accounts of animal abuse,” said Humason. “I have been contacted by hundreds of the people I represent and they said the Commonwealth needed to do something to strengthen penalties against those who would intentionally injure their pets. I agree.”
In the case of Puppy Doe, a dog was discarded inhumanely at a Quincy park. The animal suffered from a stab wound to her eye; the splitting of her tongue to look like a serpent; dislocated shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle; was burned and starved.
Humason said, “I can recall from my college studies in criminology nearly 30 years ago that there was a strong correlation between those who would hurt animals and those who would hurt people.”
The PAWS Act will equip public safety officials with the proper tools to confront the issue of animal abuse head on by:
• Increasing the possible fine of committing animal abuse from $2,500 to $5,000 for a first offense, and up to $10,000 for a second and subsequent offenses;
• Raising the maximum time in prison from 5 years to 7 years for a first offense and up to 10 years for a second and subsequent offenses;
• Requiring veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse (similar to the requirement of medical staff who suspect child abuse); and
• Creating a special taskforce of experts in law enforcement, animal protection, veterinary, legal professionals, and industry professionals to review methods to prevent animal abuse and punish those who commit animal abuse.
