Gov. Phil Bredesen signed an amendment last Tuesday that elevates the punishment for aggravated cruelty to animals.
The amendment becomes law in Tennessee on July 1 this year. The bill is named for "Gizmo," a two-pound Yorkshire Terrier allegedly killed by a man who kicked the dog like a football, officials said.
The amendment increases the sanction imposed upon a first conviction for aggravated cruelty to animals from Class A misdemeanor to Class E felony and retains Class E felony sanctions for subsequent violations.
Beginning in April 2003, Fayetteville resident Betty Arnold, past president of the Humane Society of Lincoln County, began working to have the amendment passed. Sen. Bill Ketron was willing to sponsor the amendment, Arnold said.
"Sen. Ketron cares a lot about animals," Arnold said.
The senator called Arnold last Tuesday to inform her that the amendment passed.
Currently, a subject convicted for aggravated animal cruelty may serve up to 11 months, 29 days, or may pay a fine.
But, if convicted of the Class E felony, the offender faces a minimum of one year of jail time and possibly up to six years. The offender may also be fined up to $3,000.
"That puts some teeth in it," said Arnold.
District Attorney Mike McCown said the amendment is well deserved.
"Animal abuse is becoming more and more of a problem ... It's a problem everywhere," he said.
Anything that constitutes physical abuse, such as mistreatment, burning, shooting or starvation, is considered aggravated abuse of animals, officials said.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?n...d=516594&rfi=6