Amended animal cruelty bill clears House Ag Committee

Amended animal cruelty bill clears House Ag Committee

Animal cruelty legislation that has repeatedly died in the House Agriculture Committee cleared that group today with compromise amendments.

The Humane Society of the United States and Mississippi Farm Bureau agreed to the changes that include a felony provision for second-offense aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat.

Senate Bill 2821, introduced by Sen. Bob Dearing, D-Natchez, passed the Senate on Feb. 9. The substitute version contains exemptions for killing animals in order to protect livestock. It moves on to the House Judiciary B committee. If it clears the House, it will have be sent back to the Senate for concurrence.

Clarion Ledger
2/18/11