RALEIGH, N.C. -
Susie's Law awaits Gov. Bev Perdue's signature after the N.C. Senate unanimously approved the bill Wednesday, which would make many animal abuse crimes a felony.
The Senate voted 47-0 Wednesday to give final approval to raising penalties for anyone convicted of certain animal abuse crimes. Maliciously abusing, torturing or killing an animal would be a Class H felony under Susie's Law, which would allow a judge to sentence a first-time offender to jail time. Killing an animal by intentionally starving them, previously a misdemeanor, would also be a Class H felony under the new law.
Punishment could include up to eight months of jail time, although a judge could agree to community service instead. The new law would go into effect Dec. 1, 2010.
Susie's Law was introduced after a Lashawn Whitehead of Greensboro was sentenced to probation for animal cruelty, after setting his 8-week-old pit bull mix on fire, breaking her jaw and leaving her to die in a park. The puppy was later adopted by Donna Lawrence and named Susie.
"She's just a wonderful dog, I couldn't ask for a better dog. She is smart, she's very obedient, she's very well kind of become my little buddy." Lawrence said.
The Senate voted 47-0 Wednesday to give final approval to raising penalties for anyone convicted of certain animal abuse crimes. Maliciously abusing, torturing or killing an animal would be a Class H felony under Susie's Law, which would allow a judge to sentence a first-time offender to jail time. Killing an animal by intentionally starving them, previously a misdemeanor, would also be a Class H felony under the new law.
Punishment could include up to eight months of jail time, although a judge could agree to community service instead. The new law would go into effect Dec. 1, 2010.
Susie's Law was introduced after a Lashawn Whitehead of Greensboro was sentenced to probation for animal cruelty, after setting his 8-week-old pit bull mix on fire, breaking her jaw and leaving her to die in a park. The puppy was later adopted by Donna Lawrence and named Susie.
"She's just a wonderful dog, I couldn't ask for a better dog. She is smart, she's very obedient, she's very well kind of become my little buddy." Lawrence said.
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