COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina lawmakers are considering legislation that aims to strengthen animal cruelty laws and stakeholders and some lawmakers say it has been long overdue.
Members of the House Criminal Laws subcommittee met Thursday and voted to advance an amended Senate proposal that establishes new animal shelter standards, addresses disaster response for licensed veterinarians and creates penalties for those convicted of cruel tethering of dogs.
According to the bill’s fiscal impact statement, the Department of Corrections has reported that over the past five fiscal years, an average of 14 people have been incarcerated in a given year for cruel treatment of animals.
Subcommittee Chairman Chris Murphy said the bill has stalled during a previous legislative session and intends for it to make better progress this year.
