Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Cruelty Sentencing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel Hears Bill to Treat Each Abused Animal as Individual Victim for Sentencing
Summary
HB 89 would prevent automatic merger of counts so that each harmed animal can be treated as a separate victim for sentencing and sentencing guidelines; supporters gave examples of mass cruelty cases and said the bill does not mandate consecutive sentences.
Delegate Embry told the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 23 that House Bill 89 would clarify that counts in animal cruelty cases do not automatically merge when multiple animals are harmed and that each animal should be considered a separate victim for sentencing guidelines.
"We ask that every animal be considered when it comes to sentencing and that we hold people accountable for the crimes that they are committing against animals," Katie Florie of the Maryland SPCA told the committee, describing a recent intake of a dog whose teeth were torn out and who appeared severely underweight.
A certified animal control officer gave the committee examples in which dozens of animals suffered: one case involved 20 starving horses (one dead on arrival) and another involved 11 dogs kept to hide fighting. Witnesses said prosecutors sometimes file a charge for each animal, but that without the change defendants could receive equivalent sentences even when dozens of animals were harmed.
Witnesses emphasized the bill would not automatically produce consecutive sentences. Jennifer Bevin Dangle, a lobbyist for the Humane Society of the United States, said the bill clarifies sentencing treatment and noted sentences may still run concurrently. Committee members asked about maximum penalties; a witness said aggravated animal cruelty carries a maximum prison term of up to 10 years in Maryland.
Supporters said the bill is backed by law enforcement and animal‑welfare organizations and carries no fiscal note.
Ending — The committee heard testimony and questions; no final action was taken during the hearing.
