A measure aimed at making Wyoming’s penalties for animal abuse tougher won approval Monday from a Senate Committee, but committee members first reduced the penalties proposed.
The Senate Transportation Committee voted 3-1, with one member excused, to approve SF 33, a bill that would raise the penalty for someone found guilty of cruelty to animals.
The bill had originally called for a $2,500 fine for a first-time offense, however, the committee recommended the amount be reduced to $1,500. The penalty for animal cruelty now stands at $750.
In the case of a second violation of the law, a person would be fined up to $7,500, compared to current penalties of $5,000. The bill had originally called for a penalty of $10,000.
A felony conviction, in which a person is convicted of abusing an animal knowing it could cause injury or death, would also be punished by a $7,500 penalty, up two years in prison or both.
The bill now moves to the Senate floor for its first review by all members of the Senate.
