It’s Now A Felony To Abuse Companion Animals

Pictured: Three puppies and a kitten in pajamas pinned to a clothesline while two other puppies sit in a plastic tub.

House Bill 60 goes into effect today, known as Dick Goddard’s Law, and it makes it a fifth degree felony to cause any serious physical harm to any companion animal.

How are companion animals defined? Any animal kept inside a residence, or any dog or cat. The serious physical harm includes things like starvation, depriving water or shelter and inflicting any long-term pain according to NBC4i.

These are all horrible things to do to an animal, and the State agrees. Breaking Goddard’s Law could result in a hefty fine and a prison term of six months to a year.

There’s also mandatory prison time for anyone who assaults a police dog or horse that then dies of those injuries.

Not that you needed to be reminded, but don’t ever kill dogs and horses, especially if they’re police.

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