Boston- Legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) intended to enhance humane treatment of animals and punish those who engage in animal cruelty received a key advance today at the State House.
Tarr led lawmakers in 2014 to adopt the Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety bill, also known as the PAWS Act, following the discovery of extreme abuse and cruelty in the case of “Puppy Doe”, a dog that was stabbed in the eye, had her shoulder, elbow and ankle broken, was burned and had her tongue split to resemble a serpent.
“The Puppy Doe animal torture case inspired strong legislative action designed to increase protections for animals and prevent animal cruelty and neglect. PAWS II builds on the foundations of our original law and will ensure that abuse is reported and enforced, that animal drownings are outlawed, and that our animal control laws reflect the seriousness of animal torture and abuse,” said Senator Tarr.
Tarr said that in addition to lessening animal cruelty there could be a corresponding reduction of crimes against people citing a Massachusetts study which found that a person who has committed animal abuse is five times more likely to commit violence against people.
“Like the original PAWS law, PAWS II protects pets and people and that has attracted many legislative sponsors and champions who have worked tirelessly across the state. With the support we received today I am hopeful that the bill will be approved and sent to Governor Baker,” said Tarr.
• Ensures abuse is reported- Requires animal abuse be reported by Department of Children and Families, the Department of Elder Affairs, and Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Adds animal control officers as mandatory reporters of child abuse, elder abuse, and abuse against disabled persons.
• Ensures efficient enforcement of animal control laws- Increases penalties in animal control laws that provide non-criminal penalties for. Doubles the existing penalty of a $50 fine for a second offence to $100, and increased the $100 penalty for a forth offence to $500.
• Prohibits the drowning of wild and domestic animals- Declares that drowning of animals as a violation of law.
• Removes automatic killing of animals involved in animal fighting- Removes a requirement to automatically kill animals involved in animal fighting. This bill creates other options for these animal victims.
• Adds animal crimes to the list of offenses that serve as the basis for a request for a determination of detention and or release upon conditions- Includes the crimes of animal cruelty to serve as the basis for a request for a determination of detention and or release upon conditions.
• Prohibits discrimination against specific dog breeds- Prohibits insurance companies and housing authorities to refuse insurance coverage or housing with breed restrictions.
• Require abandoned animal checks in vacant properties- Property owners and landlords must check property for abandoned animals within three days following a foreclosure or termination of tenancy.
Tarr notes that he and the coalition of supporters will seek to have the bill scheduled for legislative action in the Senate.