aldf 2010 state rankings report

8/7/2019 ALDF 2010 State Rankings Report

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2010StateAnimalProtectionLawsRankings


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ALDF2010StateAnimalProtectionLawsRankingsTheBest&WorstPlacestoBeanAnimalAbuser

December2010

TheAnimalLegalDefenseFund(ALDF)announcesthereleaseofitsnewstudythatunderscoresthe

oftenconsiderabledifferencesthatexistbetweentheanimalprotectionlawsofthestatesandterritoriesof

theUnitedStatesofAmerica.ALDFsfifthannualreport,thelongestrunningandmostauthoritativereportof

itskind,rankedeachjurisdictionontherelativestrengthandcomprehensivenessoftheircurrentanimal

protectionlaws.Therankingwasbasedonadetailedcomparativeanalysisoftheanimalprotectionlawsof

eachjurisdiction,researchingfourteenbroadcategoriesofprovisions,throughoutmorethan4,000pagesof

statutes.*Eachjurisdictionreceivedanumericalrankingbaseduponitscombinedscoreandwasgroupedinto

atop,middleorbottomtier.Therankingalsohighlightsthebestfiveandworstfivestatesoverall.

Forthethirdconsecutiveyear,Illinoisheldthetopspotaloneintherankingsduetoitswidearrayof

animalprotectionlaws.Alaskashowedthemostimprovement,movingfrom44th

lastyearto37th

overallthis

year.Alaskasimprovedrankingwasduetoenactmentofstrongerfelonypenaltiesandforcriminalizingthe

sexualassaultofanimals.WestVirginia,Minnesota,OklahomaandArizonaallimprovedtheirstandingsdue,in

part,totheadoptionoflawsthatallowanimalstobeincludedindomesticviolenceprotectiveorders.Many

otherstatesmovedupinthisyearsreportaswell.Nevertheless,Kentucky,onceagain,hadtheinfamous

distinctionofhavingtheweakestlawsinthenationapositionithasheldsince2007.

Thisstudyidentifieswhateachstateandterritoryisdoingindividuallywithrespecttoanimal

protectionlaws,saysStephanOtto,ALDFsdirectoroflegislativeaffairsandauthorofthereport,andwe

continuetoseeawiderangeofdisparityacrossthecountry.Whilemanycontinuetomakepositivesteps

forward,othersunfortunatelyarenot.Yetirrespectiveofwhereeachstateandterritorycurrentlyranksinthe

report,everyonehasampleroomforimprovement.Itisourhopethattheseongoingreviewscontinuetoshed

lightonthisimportantissueandgarnersupportforboththestrengtheningandenforcementofanimal

protectionlawsthroughoutthecountry.

Foradditionalinformation,includingtheANIMALPROTECTIONLAWSOFTHEUSA&CANADAcompendium,

MODELANIMALPROTECTIONLAWScollection,andmore,visitaldf.org.

* Seepage11ofthereportforasummaryofthemethodologyused.

2010StephanK.Otto

ANIMALLEGALDEFENSEFUND
http://aldf.org/http://aldf.org/http://aldf.org/http://aldf.org/http://aldf.org/


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2010 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings

Comparing Overall Strength & Comprehensiveness

Top Tier

Middle Tier

Bottom Tier

Best Five

Worst Five


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2010StateAnimalProtectionLawsRankings

ComparingOverallStrength&Comprehensiveness BESTFIVE WORSTFIVE

1.Illinois2.Maine3.Michigan4.Oregon5.California

46.Iowa47.Mississippi48.Idaho49.NorthDakota50.Kentucky

TOPTIER

RANK JURISDICTION1 Illinois

2 Maine

3 Michigan

4 Oregon

5 California

6 Kansas

7 Indiana

8 Tennessee

9 WestVirginia

10 Vermont

11 Minnesota

12 Washington

13 Massachusetts

14 RhodeIsland

15 Colorado

16 Virginia

17 Nebraska

18 Wisconsin

19 Louisiana

Note:TheDistrictofColumbia,PuertoRico,VirginIslandsandotherterritoriesareincludedinthisreportandareitalicized.TheBestFiveandWorstFivecategoriesarelimitedtostates.

2010StephanK.OttoANIMALLEGALDEFENSEFUND


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MIDDLETIER

RANK JURISDICTION20 Delaware

21 Oklahoma

22 Florida

23 DistrictOfColumbia24

PuertoRico25 NewHampshire

26 Arkansas

27 VirginIslands28 Nevada

29 Ohio

30 Arizona

31 NorthCarolina

32 Missouri

33 NewYork

34 Texas

35 Connecticut

36 Georgia

37 Utah

38 SouthCarolina

BOTTOMTIER

RANK JURISDICTION39 Alaska

40 Montana

41 Pennsylvania

42 Wyoming

43 Maryland

44 Alabama

45 NewMexico

46 Hawaii

47 NewJersey

48 SouthDakota

49 Iowa

50 Mississippi

51 Idaho

52 Guam53 NorthDakota

54 Kentucky

55 NorthernMarianaIslands56 AmericanSamoa



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Table:BestFiveStates Selectprovisions

Illinois Maine Michigan Oregon California Felonypenaltiesavailable:

Cruelty(C),Neglect(N),Fighting(F)

Abandonment(A),SexualAssault(S)

C,N,F,A,S C,N,F,A,S C,N,F,A,S C,F C,N,F*

Adequatedefinitions/standardsofbasic

care

Fullrangeofstatutoryprotections

(cruelty,neglect,abandonment,sexual

assault,fighting)

Increasedpenaltiesforrepeatabusers

and/oranimalhoarders

Increasedpenaltieswhenabuseis

committedinthepresenceofaminor

Courtsmayorderforfeitureofabused

animals

Mandatoryforfeitureofanimalsupon

conviction

Mandatoryreportingofsuspected

crueltybyveterinariansand/orselect

nonanimalrelated

agencies/professionals

Policeofficershaveanaffirmativeduty

toenforceanimalprotectionlaws

Humaneofficershavebroadlaw

enforcementauthority

Broadmeasurestomitigateandrecover

costsofcareforabusedpetsseizedby

animalwelfareagencies

Courtmayrestrictownershipofanimals

afteraconviction

Mentalhealthevaluationsand/or

counselingforoffenders

Animalsmaybeincludedindomestic

violenceprotectionorders

*Limitedtoselectspecies

2010

Stephan

K.

OttoANIMALLEGALDEFENSEFUND


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Table:WorstFiveStates

Selectprovisions

Kentucky NorthDakota Idaho Mississippi Iowa Felonypenaltiesavailable:

Cruelty(C),Neglect(N),Fighting(F)

Abandonment(A),SexualAssault(S)

C,F* F F

* F

* C,F

Adequatedefinitions/standardsofbasic

care

Fullrangeofstatutoryprotections

(cruelty,neglect,abandonment,sexual

assault,fighting)

Increasedpenaltiesforrepeatabusers

and/oranimalhoarders

Increasedpenaltieswhenabuseis

committedinthepresenceofaminor

Courtsmayorderforfeitureofabused

animals

Mandatoryforfeitureofanimalsupon

conviction

Mandatoryreportingofsuspected

crueltybyveterinariansand/orselect

nonanimalrelated

agencies/professionals

Policeofficershaveanaffirmativeduty

toenforceanimalprotectionlaws

Humaneofficershavebroadlaw

enforcementauthority

Broadmeasurestomitigateandrecover

costsofcareforabusedpetsseizedby

animalwelfareagencies

Courtmayrestrictownershipofanimals

afteraconviction

Mentalhealthevaluationsand/or

counselingforoffenders

Animalsmaybeincludedindomestic

violenceprotectionorders

*Limitedtoselectspecies

Veterinariansareprohibitedfromreportingsuspectedcrueltyorfighting

2010

Stephan

K.

OttoANIMALLEGALDEFENSEFUND


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Overview:WhyTheseStatesMadetheBestFiveList

STATE ExistingStrengths PotentialImprovements

Illinois

- Felonypenaltiesforcruelty,neglect,

abandonmentandsexualassault

- Adequatedefinitions/standardsofbasiccare

- Principalprotectionsapplytomostanimals

- Fullrangeofstatutoryprotections

- Increasedpenaltiesforrepeatanimalabusers

andanimalhoarders

- Mentalhealthevaluationspriortosentencing

- Counseling/angermanagementforcertain

offenders

- Somemandatorycostrecoverymeasuresfor

impoundedanimals

- Preconvictionforfeitureallowed

- Mandatoryforfeitureofselectanimalson

conviction

- Courtmayorderrestrictionsonfutureownership

orpossessionofanimalsuponconviction

- Mandatoryreportingofsuspectedanimalcruelty

byselectnonanimalrelatedagencies

- Mandatoryreportingofanimalcrueltyby

veterinarians

- Humaneagentshavesomelawenforcement

authority

- Protectiveordersmayincludeanimals

- Increasedpenaltiesforoffenderswithprior

domesticviolenceoffenses

- Increasedpenaltieswhencrimecommittedin

thepresenceofaminor

- Mandatorytermsofincarcerationforcertain

offenders

- Mandatoryrestrictionsonfutureownershipor

possessionofanimalsfollowingaconviction

- Broadercostmitigation&recoverymeasures

- Broaderlawenforcementpowersforhumane

agentsanddutyonpeaceofficerstoenforce

animalprotectionlaws

- Morecomprehensivedefinitions/standardsof

basiccare

- Mandatoryforfeitureofanytypeofanimalupon

conviction

- Courtcalendarprioritywhenanimalsarein

custody

- Strongeranimalfightingprovisions

Maine







- Limitedpresentencementalhealthevaluations


- Courtmayordercounseling/angermanagement

- Courtmayordercostrecoverymeasureson

conviction

- Courtmayorderforfeitureonconviction



- Permissivereportingofanimalcrueltybyselect

nonanimalrelatedagencies

- Mandatoryreportingofsuspectedaggravated

animalcrueltybyveterinarians

- Humaneagentshavesomelawenforcement

authority


- Peaceofficershaveanaffirmativedutyto

investigateanimalprotectionlawviolations




thepresenceofaminor

- Increasedpenaltiesforcrimesinvolvingmultiple

animals

- Mandatoryrestitution

- Mandatorycostmitigation&recoverymeasures

forimpoundedanimals

- Mandatoryforfeitureonconviction





- Mandatoryreportingofallsuspectedanimal

crueltybyveterinarians

- Broaderlawenforcementpowersforhumane

agents

- Felonypenaltyonfirstoffensesexualassault


custody




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Overview:WhyTheseStatesMadetheBestFiveListcontd.

STATE

ExistingStrengths PotentialImprovementsMichigan







- Increasedpenaltiesforcasesinvolvingmultiple

animals

- Presentencementalhealthevaluations


- Mandatorycostmitigationmeasuresfor

impoundedanimals


- Courtmayorderforfeitureonconviction



- Humaneagentshavebroadlawenforcement

authority

- Stronganimalfightingprovisions

- Allpeaceofficershaveanaffirmativedutyto

enforceanimalprotectionlaws




thepresenceofaminor


offenders


- Additionalcostmitigation&recoverymeasures

forimpoundedanimals







veterinarians



custody

Oregon

- Felonypenaltyforcruelty





- Increasedpenaltiesforrepeatdomesticviolence

offenders


thepresenceofaminor

- Limitedpresentencementalhealthevaluations


- Courtmayordercostmitigation&recovery

measuresforimpoundedanimals




- Mandatorypostconvictionownershipand

possessionban

- Mandatoryreportingofsuspectedaggravated

animalcrueltybyveterinarians


authority

- Animalfightingisapredicateoffenseunderstate

RICOlaws

- Allpeaceofficershaveanaffirmativedutyto


- Stronganimalfightingprovisions

- Felonypenaltiesforneglect,abandonmentand

sexualassault


animals


offenders

- Broaderpresentencementalhealthevaluations



forimpoundedanimals




- Mandatoryreportingofallsuspectedanimal

crueltybyveterinarians



custody



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Overview:WhyTheseStatesMadetheBestFiveListcontd.

STATE

ExistingStrengths PotentialImprovementsCalifornia

- Felonypenaltiesforcrueltyandneglect



- Courtmayorderrestitution



forimpoundedanimals

- Mandatoryseizureofmistreatedanimals


- Mandatoryforfeitureofanimalsonconviction


orpossessionofanimalswhileonprobation

- Selectnonanimalrelatedagenciesmayreport

suspectedanimalcruelty


veterinarians


authority


- Felonypenaltiesforabandonmentandsexual

assault

- Betterstatutorydefinitions/standardsofbasic

care



animals


thepresenceofaminor




offenders

- Presentencementalhealthevaluations




custody




- Peaceofficershaveanaffirmativedutyto





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Page 9

Overview:WhyTheseStatesMadetheWorstFiveList

Kentucky

- Felonyprovisionavailableonlyforcrueltyagainstselectanimals

- Nofelonyprovisionsforextremeneglectorabandonment

- Inadequatedefinitions/standardsofbasiccare

- Principalprotectionsapplyonlytoselecttypesofanimals

- Nomentalhealthevaluationsorcounselingforoffenders

- Nocostmitigation&recoveryprovisionsforimpoundedanimals(e.g.costofcare

bonds,otherreimbursementofcosts,liens,restitutionprovisions)

- Noforfeitureofabusedanimals

- Norestrictionsonfutureownershiporpossessionofanimalsfollowinga

conviction

- Veterinariansareprohibitedfromreportingsuspectedcrueltyorfighting

- Noprovisionsforselectnonanimalrelatedagencies/professionalstoreport

suspectedanimalabuse

- Inadequatehumaneagentprovisionsandnodutyonpeaceofficerstoenforce


- Noseparatecrimeforthesexualassaultofananimal

- Nostatutoryauthoritytoallowprotectiveorderstoincludeanimals

- Inadequateanimalfightingprovisions

NorthDakota

- Nofelonyanimalcruelty/neglect/abandonmentprovisions


- Noincreasedpenaltiesforrepeatoffenders


- Inadequatecostmitigation&recoveryprovisionsforimpoundedanimals(e.g.

costofcarebonds,otherreimbursementofcosts,restitutionprovisions)

- Noforfeitureofabusedanimals


conviction

- Noprovisionsforveterinariansandotherselectnonanimalrelated

agencies/professionalstoreportsuspectedanimalabuse


- Nohumaneagentsandnodutyonpeaceofficerstoenforceanimalprotection

laws


Idaho

- Nofelonyanimalcruelty/neglect/abandonmentprovisions




conviction

- Noprovisionsforveterinariansandotherselectnonanimalrelated

agencies/professionalstoreportsuspectedanimalabuse

- Inadequatecostmitigation&recoveryprovisionsforimpoundedanimals



- Inadequatehumaneagentprovisionsandnodutyonpeaceofficerstoenforce




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Methodologysummary

Thefiftysixjurisdictionsincludedinthe2010STATEANIMALPROTECTIONLAWSRANKINGSreport

werenumericallyrankedbasedontheircumulativescorestofortyonestudyquestionscovering

fourteendistinctanimalprotectionlawscategories.Thereportanalyzedenactedlawsonlyanddid

notreviewtheseparateissueofhowtheselawsareenforced.Answerstothestudyquestionswere

based

primarily

on

the

statutory

data

contained

in

the

4,000+

page

compendium

ANIMAL

PROTECTION

LAWSOFTHEUSA&CANADA(SIXTHEDITION).*Thestudyquestionswerecloseendedandthechoices

exhaustiveandmutuallyexclusive.Thequestionswerelimitedtothefollowingcategories:

1. Generalprohibitions

2. Penalties

3. Exemptions

4. Mentalhealthevaluations&counseling

5. Protectiveorders

6. Costmitigation&recovery

7. Seizure/impound

8. Forfeitureandpostconvictionpossession

9. Nonanimalagencyreportingofsuspectedanimalcruelty

10. Veterinarianreportingofsuspectedanimalcruelty

11. Lawenforcementpolicies

12. Sexualassault

13. Fighting

14. Offenderregistration

*ANIMALPROTECTIONLAWSOFTHEUSA&CANADA(SIXTHEDITION)willsoonbeavailableataldf.org.Foranyreportrelatedquestions,

comments,oradditionalinformation,[email protected]
http://aldf.org/animallawshttp://aldf.org/animallawsmailto:%[email protected]:%[email protected]:%[email protected]://aldf.org/animallawsmailto:%[email protected]

aldf 2010 state rankings report

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