Animal torture bill stalls in Iowa Statehouse, ARL pushes for action
By Abigail Kurten
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is urging lawmakers to advance a bill that would make animal torture a felony on the first offense.
Earlier this year, the Iowa House passed the bill unanimously, but it’s since been placed on a list of unfinished business. This means the Senate would need to deliberately schedule time for discussion or debate for it to advance to the governor’s desk.
ARL CEO Tom Colvin says a puppy rescued by Des Moines police earlier this month is the perfect example as to why the law is needed.
The dog, which has since been placed under the ARL’s care, had two broken bones in her leg and a fractured jaw. Based on the various stages of healing, it’s likely she was abused more than once.
“It is horrific,” Colvin said. “We feel that she’s actually almost the poster pet for this particular law.”
Iowa currently ranks 45th out of 50 for animal protection laws according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
It’s also the only state in the nation where animal torture is not an automatic felony.
“That’s downright embarrassing for all of us,” Colvin said. “We do not have the tools necessary to go forward, and really bring somebody, somebody, that could do this to justice.”
KCCI reached out to Senate leaders to learn more about potential plans for the bill, but did not hear back.
Colvin says the ARL plans to lobby for the bill at the Statehouse Thursday afternoon from noon to 2:30 p.m.
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