A new bill in the Alabama legislature could lead to stricter penalties for those who abandon pets, such as the pit bull discovered in a trash bag with a bullet in its head in Grand Bay.
The distressing images of Chance, the abandoned pit bull, began circulating on social media, drawing significant public outrage. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch stated that the case has sparked widespread anger within the community.
“I believe anyone who owns a pet should do so responsibly, and if they fail to do so, they should be held accountable,” Sheriff Burch said.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s office is actively investigating the case and is working to identify the individual responsible for this cruel act.
“I believe people who are capable of harming animals without reason could easily extend that behavior to humans,” Sheriff Burch added.
In Alabama, abandoning a cat or dog is already considered animal cruelty. However, the new bill, introduced by Representative Brock Colvin, could add a separate criminal charge for this act.
The proposed bill would make it illegal to abandon a cat or dog, with potential penalties including up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $3,000.
Sheriff Burch expressed his support for tougher penalties regarding animal cruelty.
“I think many lawmakers are pet owners and pet lovers, and I don’t see a reason not to push this through,” he said. “However, I’d like to see more substantial amendments to current animal cruelty laws, including lifelong restrictions on owning animals for offenders.”
Anna Bush, president of Friends of the Mobile Animal Shelter, pointed out that pet abandonment is a widespread issue.
“As one of the first people to arrive at the shelter most days, I’ve seen animals abandoned at the gate, in dog parks, and even in apartment complexes when people unexpectedly move out,” Bush said.
She emphasized the importance of harsher penalties for those who abandon pets but expressed doubt that the new law would completely solve the problem.
“While abandonment is already illegal, increasing the fines may not always be effective,” she explained. “If the person responsible can’t pay the fine, enforcement becomes challenging.”
The bill has been introduced to the state legislature but has not yet been voted on.
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