Senate approves tougher animal-abuse penalties

kitsHARTFORD – In a move to provide harsher punishment for animal abuse, those convicted of a second offense would face harsher penalties with no chance for a diversionary program called accelerated rehabilitation.

The bill, which was on the state Senate’s consent calendar Tuesday night, next goes to the House.

Under the legislation, drafted partially in response to animal-abuse cases in eastern Connecticut, first-time defendants found guilty of killing, maiming, abusing or torturing animals would face the current Class D felonies with penalties of five years in prison and $5,000 fines.

But second and subsequent offenses would be Class C felonies of 10 years in prison and $10,000 fines, with no chance for accelerated rehabilitation programs that can eventually clear a defendant’s record.

Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D-Branford, co-chairman of the Environment Committee, cited statistics indicating that many repeat abusers have been allowed to apply for accelerated rehabilitation. Class C felonies, however, are ineligible for the program.

“Many individuals who have previously been found guilty of these offenses have received minimal punishment,” Kennedy said. “They’re a danger to society and the public needs to become aware of their crimes.”

“It does reflect that it is, in fact, a serious crime to maim, mutilate, torture or wound an animal,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, stressing that animal abuse often indicate a “depraved disposition.”