A New Bill In Wyoming Would Increase Maximum Fines For Animal Cruelty Offenses - National Humane Education Society

Paws Up!
February 9, 2018

To Wyoming State Representative Michael Gieru (D-Teton County) for introducing a bill to raise maximum fines for animal cruelty.

According to a recent news article, Wyoming State Representative Michael Gierau has introduced a bill (House Bill 48) that would greatly increase the maximum fines for both misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty offenses in Wyoming. If passed into law, House Bill 48 would raise the maximum fine for first-offense misdemeanor animal cruelty from the $750 to $2,500. Offenders convicted more than once for misdemeanor animal cruelty could pay as much as $10,000 — double the maximum fine under current law.

Under current Wyoming state law, felony animal cruelty charges can be brought against a person who has tortured or beaten an animal to death or so severely that euthanasia is required. HB 48 would increase the maximum fine for these crimes from $5,000 to $10,000.

Take action. Residents of Wyoming, contact your legislators and urge them to support HB 48 to heighten punishment for animal cruelty offenses. You may use NHES’ sample action letter below.

 Re: HB48 to Increase Animal Cruelty Penalties in Wyoming

Dear Senator _________, (or Representative _________,)

I am writing to express my support of HB48, a bill to increase maximum fines for both misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty offenses in the state of Wyoming. Acts of cruelty committed against animals rarely occur in isolation. Theses crimes appear frequently in concurrence with child abuse, intimate partner violence, even homicide. People who do not show mercy to animals, creatures who are defenseless against human weapons and cruelty, deserve to pay a high price for their crimes. Please support HB 48, which would compel them to do so.

Thank you for your consideration,

{Your Name}

4 Comments

4 responses to “A New Bill In Wyoming Would Increase Maximum Fines For Animal Cruelty Offenses”

1. Diana Lewis says:

   March 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm

   Animal cruelty is inexcusable, especially within a progressive society!

   Reply
2. Lorraine Bradley says:

   March 5, 2018 at 9:08 pm

   Excellent. This bill needs to pass immediately and stop all the cruelty to these precious animals, who rely on us for their well-being. Thank you for being an animal advocate.

   Reply
3. Eileen Kulp says:

   March 5, 2018 at 11:14 pm

   Way to GO!!!! Finally someone is listening!! Those fines are going to help out alot to both the animals and law enforcement personnel. Now we need to get PA on board with increasing the fines and jail time, and also a National Animal Abuser Registry with ALL the information listed, so that EVERYONE KNOWS. And if those State Reps are learly of passing this Bill, I have numerous articles listing the ABUSE and pictures of the abused animals to show them that it does occur 24/7. Keep going and PUSH this Bill through. PS- in this Bill you also need to remove the animal from the abusers’ care Permanently!!

   Reply
4. Eileen Kulp says:

   March 5, 2018 at 11:21 pm

   I applaud State Representative Michael Gierau for his tenasity to introduce this Bill and I’m not even from Wyoming!!! Way to go Mike, I’m behind you and I’ll contact my State Reps here in PA to back and support this House Bill 48. KUDOS!!!!!

   Reply