BOISE -- Animals lovers converged on the Statehouse Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support a bill that would increase the punishment for animal cruelty.
More than 50 people showed up this morning to fight for harsher animal cruelty laws. The Humane Society even brought the mobile adoption clinic with them to remind lawmakers who this bill would protect.
Under the animal cruelty bill, a third animal cruelty conviction within a 15-year period would be a felony and punishable by up to a year in jail.
Right now, animal cruelty is only a misdemeanor charge in Idaho.
Dr. Jeff Rosenthal is the executive director of the Idaho Humane Society. He says this bill is a step in the right direction, but he thinks punishments could be even harsher to help protect Idaho animals.
"It may not go far enough. A third offense in 15 years that may be just a little too weak here," said Rosenthal. "Could we draft a bill that on first offense for truly malicious, egregious acts that everyone can agree on is a felony on the fist offense?"
The bill is expected to come up for a vote before the full Senate on Thursday. If it passes, it would then go the House of Representatives for consideration.
