Animal cruelty bill is a hot topic in North Dakota

Bismarck, ND (WDAY TV) -- Even though a measure to increase animal cruelty was overwhelmingly defeated in November, it's become a hot topic at the capitol.

It was standing room only, with a crowd overflowing into the hallway at an ag committee hearing Thursday. New animal cruelty legislation would make it a Class A misdemeanor if a person doesn't provide adequate care or abuses an animal. Additional offenses within five years would be a class B "felony".

St. Sen. Tim Flakoll says, "While civilized society cannot prevent all of life's pain for humans or their animals, there is certainly an expectation of a standard of quality of life that we can support."

Not everyone is in favor of every piece of this bill. The North Dakota Farm Bureau opposes some penalties.

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