A bill that would give Wyoming its first chance to charge someone with a felony if they repeatedly abuse animals cleared the House on Wednesday.
HB 235 would create Wyoming’s first charge of felony animal abuse. While a conviction of animal abuse once would be a misdemeanor, any subsequent convictions would be felonies punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. It won approval on its final House review on a vote of 41-18.
Wyoming has never had a felony charge for animal cruelty, so even if people were found guilty of multiple counts or convicted multiple times, the harshest penalty they could face would be for a misdemeanor violation punishable by up to six months in jail.
The House vote sends the bill to the Senate for its consideration.
