By Bob Katzen

Would amend current law that imposes up to a 7-year prison sentence and/or $5,000 fine for a first offense of animal cruelty and a 10-year prison sentence and/or $10,000 fine for a second offense.

The bill leaves the prison sentences as they are but raises the fines to $5,500 for a first offense and $11,000 for subsequent offenses. It also creates a special account where up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses would go to fund improvements to animal shelters in the city or town in which the violations occurred.

The proposal received initial House approval in 2021 but then died in committee because of lack of further action by the House.

Sponsor Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy) said that Massachusetts in 2024 took a big step forward in animal rights and protection with the passage of Ollie’s law that established rules and regulations for dog kennels in the Bay State, to ensure animal welfare, protect consumers and keep kennel staff safe.

“This bill seeks to build on that momentum by increasing penalties for animal cruelty to further deter abuse and neglect, while directing any additional revenue generated from these increased fines towards financial support for local animal shelters where the violation occurred,” said Ayers.