Colorado Bans Animal Abusers From Owning Pets – Should More States?

What’s the story?

• Colorado has banned animal abusers in the Centennial State from owning pets for up to five years after their conviction.

What does the bill say?

• The Animal Ban For Cruelty To Animals Conviction allows a court to enter an “order prohibiting a person convicted of felony animal cruelty from owning a pet animal for a period of 3 to 5 years.”
• The legislation also states that a juvenile convicted of animal cruelty can be “adjudicated a delinquent for an animal cruelty crime from owning a pet animal.” 

What are people saying?

• “I think the real important piece of this legislation is the component that deals with judges being able to sentence folks to anger management or mental health treatment,” state Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver), who introduced the legislation, told The Denver Post.

“There’s a correlation between people who commit acts of violence against animals and those same people committing acts of violence against people.”

• Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said the law will “increase restrictions of people convicted of felony pet animal cruelty, and facilitate mental health and treatments to address the underlying factors that drive tragic animal cruelty.”
• Polis also announced a new effort, the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Committee, which he called “an opportunity to look at what Colorado can do to protect our animals from cruelty and ensure their wellbeing.”

What do you think?

Should more states pass laws banning animal abusers from owning pets? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock / gabrielabertolini)