HB 2150

If you live in Arizona, you may have heard about house bill 2150.  If you are a horse lover and enthusiast, like myself, it is important to understand what this bill could do if Governor Doug Ducey does not veto it.  It addresses animal-cruelty but for some reason, separates livestock and poultry from the other animals.  The bill has some lawmakers worried because it is opening up the possibility for weaker punishment when it comes to livestock abuse and neglect.  

And why the separation?  Why push for more aggressive punishment for dogs and cats but not for horses, cattle, and poultry?  The author of the legislation claims the original animal-cruelty law is written too broadly, that it makes it difficult to prosecute animal abusers.  And yet, she is purposely writing out animals that ALSO deserve protection.  It is confusing to have so much passion for only a select species and disregard the others.  How does including livestock impede the process of charging abusers with animal-cruelty?  How?  

All animals deserve to be equally protected from abuse and neglect.