Target: Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
Goal: Support more stringent legal penalties against animal torture and cruelty.
An annual survey by the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks each U.S. state based on the strength of its animal protection laws. A recent ranking identified Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, and Colorado as the best states for combating animal cruelty. A state that listed in the notorious bottom five could soon change its shameful ranking. This ForceChange petition highlighted just one of the troubling instances of alleged animal torture that have taken place in Kentucky. But the state’s legislature took an important step in tackling these dangerous crimes.
Ethan’s Law, named in honor of a dog who survived severe neglect, was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Kentucky governor Andy Beshear. The law enables prosecutors to charge a suspected perpetrator of torture of a dog or a cat with a felony on the first offense. A man who was accused of abandoning nearly a dozen puppies in a sealed cardboard box became the first conviction under the new law. The puppies fortunately all survived, but their former owner – Thomas Bagwell – will not be allowed contact with any other at-risk pets after he serves his jail sentence.
Sign the petition below to thank the governor for taking this important first step in rectifying his state’s lacking animal protection standards.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Beshear,
Animal Cruelty Awareness Month shines a harsh spotlight on this often-overlooked crime that can easily escalate to crimes against people. Kentucky has historically had a spotty record at best in its animal cruelty laws. The recent addition of Ethan’s Law into the penal code represents a consequential course correction.
The first conviction under this law is a celebration of progress made and a reminder that the work has just begun. Thank you for committing to strengthening Kentucky’s standing as a protector of all living beings.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Kentucky Humane Society
