Website Development & Hosting Provided by GTI Technology Consultants. For questions related to this site's design, hosting, links or navigation please email mikep@gtechinc.com

David R. Brinkley, Maryland State Delegate.

March 8, 2001 - The Gazette (MD)

Judiciary Committee to hear animal cruelty bill

by Sherry Greenfield
Staff Writer

Mar. 8, 2001

Lawmakers in Annapolis want to stop the mutilation, torture, killing and beating of animals. To that end, the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee will hear a bill March 16 that would increase penalties against offenders.

"We do have people performing heinous acts on animals," said Del. David Brinkley (R-Dist. 4A) of New Market, who is one of 77 delegates sponsoring House Bill 649. Its companion, Senate Bill 356, is being debated in the Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee.

Both bills stem from a Feb. 4 incident in Salisbury, where three teens allegedly set fire to a 6-month-old pit bull terrier. The fire spread to two homes and killed the dog.

Both bills also would help in the fight against domestic violence, since experts contend there is a link between cruelty to animals and violence to women.

Currently, people who are convicted of cruelty to animals are charged with a misdemeanor and given 90 days in jail for torturing and beating an animal or three years in jail for killing it. House Bill 649 would elevate the charge to a felony with a sentence of three years in jail.

Hunting and slaughtering animals for food are excluded.

The bill also would allow the court to order psychological counseling for people convicted of the charge.

Del. Joseph Bartlett (R-Dist. 3) of Middletown, a sponsor of the bill, supports this component.

"If we can stop these people and get them help, then we've done our job," he said.

Bartlett is also one of many who pointed out the connection between cruelty to animals and violence against women and others.

"When you look at the evidence and look at the statistics, people committing violent acts on animals usually progress to humans," Bartlett said.

Warren Spaid, executive director of Heartly House in Frederick, agrees. "We see a correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence," he said. "We also hear frequently of people that don't want to leave a relationship because a family pet is involved. We've recognized this for years."

The Frederick County State's Attorney's Office investigates and prosecutes between 15 to 20 cases of cruelty to animals a year. Many of them directly relate to domestic violence.

"We see a lot of these cases in the context of domestic violence," Assistant State's Attorney Mary Drawbaugh said. "A lot of women are upset with their males because of their inappropriate behavior toward their animals."

The Humane Society of the United States also draws a correlation.

"The connection between animal cruelty and violence against people is well documented," said Nancy Perry, HSUS director of government affairs. "Not only will SB 356 protect animals, it will also protect Marylanders from becoming victims of domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of violence."

State Sen. Philip Jimeno (D-Dist. 31) of Anne Arundel County introduced the Senate bill because of that connection. "I'm convinced that there is an actual link that leads to violence against spouses and children," he said.

Thirty-one states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the District of Columbia, have laws making animal cruelty a felony. Animal rights activist Theresa Rutter thinks the time is now for Maryland to enact the same law.

"I have always believed in animal rights," Rutter said. "Several years ago I began lobbying for animal rights, and I've been involved in the effort ever since."

Rutter would like to see the language in both bills stronger, but she stands in support.

"It's a good bill," she said. "It's not as strong as it could be. I think any cruelty toward animals should be a felony, but I will be immensely satisfied if it passes. In a perfect world, we wouldn't need this legislation.

Return to List of Articles

Authority: Friends of David R. Brinkley - Sallie M. Brinkley, Treasurer