A heated debate began on the Senate Floor yesterday as Senator’s discussed a new bill.
During a debate over a bill to increase penalties against animal abusers, Senator Barbra Blackmon was recognized to speak on the bill and said that the focus for increased penalties should be in other areas like creating harsher penalties for those convicted of Domestic Violence.
“We have been talking about sick and horrific things that have been done to these dogs. But tell me about the sick and horrific things happening to children and women who are abused, yet for domestic abuse, you’re talking about a fine of $1,000 and up to five years in prison. We’re talking about torturing, maiming, and dismembering a dog…what about touring, and maiming and burning, and mutilating a child or women who have been the subject of domestic violence…We should be just as passionate about that,” Blackmon said.
Blackmon went on to discuss why she feels that the penalties associated with domestic violence should take precedent over penalties for animal abuse.
Senator Angela Hill says the bill does not ignore the issue of domestic violence, but rather enforces the fact that certain types of behavior will not be tolerated.
“There is an overwhelming link between abusing animals and abusing people. Domestic violence, serial killers are all tied to animal abuse, so this is not just about animals. It’s about deviant behavior. People who abuse animals also abuse people, there is no doubt about that,” Hill said.
Hill also said that she has worked hard to protect vulnerable adults like her Grandfather, who was abused later in his life. She concluded by asking that Blackmon and others resist from saying that support for this bill means that they do not care about people that have been abused.
The animal abuse bill did pass through the Senate. In the bill, it states that anyone engaged in promoting or facilitating a dogfight is subject to 10 years and 10,000 fine.
Spectators of a dogfight could face a $5,000 fine and one year in prison.
