Suffolk County District Legal professional Kevin Hayden a part of animal safety dialog
This previous week the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Advocacy Division and different animal safety organizations have been joined by Suffolk County District Legal professional Kevin Hayden on the Massachusetts State Home to offer a briefing to legislators and workers on payments referring to rising protections for animals in Massachusetts.
ARL’s Legislation Enforcement Division additionally supplied examples of instances they examine, challenges with the present legal guidelines, and the way these payments would assist maintain animals protected.
The laws mentioned included:
- 1190/H.1938: An Act enhancing the issuance of citations for merciless circumstances for animals, which might broaden the variety of species coated by civil citations for cruelty
- 1207/H. 1914: An Act relative to the possession of pets by convicted animal abusers/An Act relative to a brief possession ban of animals for animal abusers, which might prohibit pet possession for repeat offenders
- 1277/H. 1934: An Act relative to the humane safety of animals/An Act stopping animal cruelty, which would offer non-criminal alternate options to make sure animals are protected
For the latter, DA Hayden defined the necessity for a misdemeanor cost.
“Oftentimes now, individuals are very reluctant to resolve a case as a result of it includes a felony conviction. Having a felony conviction in your report is way extra important than a misdemeanor offense, and so we get these instances that simply languish in courtroom,” Hayden stated. “Persons are far much less more likely to admit wrongdoing though they know they did it, though they know they need to be held accountable.”
Get Concerned to Assist Shield Animals in MA
ARL will proceed to staunchly advocate for the passage of animal safety payments all through the 2025-2026 legislative session, and you may get concerned by studying extra about these proposed payments and contacting your elected officers to encourage their endorsement to maintain animals in Massachusetts protected.
To be taught extra about these payments and ARL’s different legislative priorities at our legislative agenda right here: https://www.arlboston.org/our-work/legislative-agenda/
