Mississippi legislators spend a lot of time listening and taking Pets care of the needs of frequent powerful interest groups represented by well-paid lobbyists. There is an "interest group "that doesn't hire lobbyists whose members can't even speak, but has needs that need to be taken care of this session. Mississippi has a problem with animal abuse. Many of the stories of abuse of pets make the news, but most don't. Law enforcement officers and Animal rescue groups know them all too well. Law officers also know that people who abuse animals are likely to mistreatment people and be involved in other crimes.
Yet, there is little they can do, even if they catch the user. Mississippi is one of only four states that does not have a felony animal abuse law. The Senate has approved a bill to make cruelty to dogs and cats a first-offense felony. However, the House in the past has not been willing to address the issue. Even though it only applies to pets, dogs and cats, the powerful Mississippi Farm Bureau has opposed it. It died last year in the House Agriculture Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Ward, D-Ripley. Ward should not block the bill. It's time for lawmakers take care of group that can't speak for itself - the pets animals - and approve a first-offense crime animal abuse law. Dogs and cats can't vote, but those who care about them can.
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