FRANKFORT — Celebrity canine Ethan was within the Kentucky Capitol Tuesday to see senators go a bill named after himwhich might enable a person to be charged with a felony the primary time they torture a canine or cat.
House Bill 258 is now practically legislationhaving handed the Senate 31-5 with one member passing. Named Ethan’s Law, it now heads to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk for a signature or veto.
Ethan, who gained hearts over as he recovered from extreme neglect in 2021, lent his face to the invoice and got here a number of occasions to Frankfort to testify in favor of it.
The bill defines torture because the “intentional infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain or serious injury or death to a dog or cat, motivated by intent or wanton disregard that causes, increases, or prolongs the pain or suffering of the dog or cat, including serious physical injury or infirmity.”
Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, mentioned Ethan’s Law “puts my cultural heritage and relationship with my dogs at risk.”
Further, she mentioned the invoice wasn’t wanted.
“Kentucky, contrary to popular extremist rhetoric, has animal abuse laws,” Webb, who voted towards the invoice, mentioned. And “any good prosecutor” can convey a case based mostly on that present legislation, she mentioned.
Sen. Adrienne Southworth, R-Lawrenceburg, agreed.
“I have not seen a single dog story … that are not already protected by the current law,” she mentioned.
Louisville Republican and Majority Caucus Chair Sen. Julie Raque Adams, who introduced the House invoice to the Senate flooring, mentioned would defend good pet homeowners, hunters, farmers, “respectable breeders” and trainers.
She additionally cited research showing individuals who abuse animals are prone to go on and hurt folks.
“Abusers have the propensity to escalate and to continue their criminal behavior,” Raque Adams mentioned. “And with no deterrent or accountability, most will do so.”
