Animal activists rejoice as Buddy’s Law may be revived as an amendment to House Bill 1065 after its death earlier this month.
Buddy’s Law, which originally required that a child who injures a dog or cat be subjected to a psychological or psychiatric evaluation and counseling, is expected to be amended into HB 1065 by the Mississippi Senate.
Inspiration for the bill came from Buddy, a dog who was severely burned by a 12-year-old in April and has made a full recovery.
When HB 1065 was introduced, it centered around the trapping and hunting of nuisance animals as well as the importation and release of wild hogs.
Now, it mentions penalties that would be imposed on those convicted of animal cruelty with a small section citing the amended Buddy’s Law.
Additional sections would require that adults convicted of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat for the first time be fined up to $5,000 and $10,000 if it is their second or subsequent conviction.
Sentenced individuals would also be required to have a psychological or psychiatric evaluation and counseling or treatment, just as convicted children would.
The amended bill now waits in the Senate with hopes of passing before the end of the legislative session.
