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MEDIA RELEASE: Animal and Childrens’ Advocates Celebrate the Passage of Buddy’s Law by Mississippi Senate

MEDIA RELEASE: Animal and Childrens’ Advocates Celebrate the Passage of Buddy’s Law by Mississippi Senate

JACKSON, Miss. (February 10, 2022)In Defense of Animals, an international animal advocacy organization operating in Mississippi, Mississippi Citizen’s Against Animal Cruelty, and kindred organizations across the state are thrilled that Buddy’s Law (SB 2261) passed the Mississippi Senate unopposed on Wednesday, February 9. Buddy’s Law is named for a dog who narrowly survived after being severely burned by a 12-year-old in April 2021 and mandates psychological assessment and treatment for youths who torture animals.

In January, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann nixed the bill, and subsequently saved it after advocates flooded his office with communications supporting Buddy’s Law. The law will bring social justice for abused animals and children who, without mental health guidance, might be destined to a lifetime of violence and incarceration.

In Defense of Animals and Mississippi Citizens Against Animal Cruelty applaud Sen. Angela Hill and co-authors of Buddy’s Law for addressing a long-neglected component of the justice system. Mississippi law currently prohibits the prosecution of juveniles 12 years of age and younger. Buddy’s Law addresses the vital need to aid children with a propensity for violence that manifests itself in acts of animal torture. Left unchecked, it could lead to school shootings, domestic violence, and a myriad of other horrors.

“In Defense of Animals, Mississippi Citizens Against Animal Cruelty, and fellow advocates are ecstatic that Senator Angela Hill continues to champion animal protection and that our state senators comprehend that a healthy society protects its most vulnerable: animals, children, and our elderly citizens,” said Doll Stanley, who leads In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign. “Children who suffer destructive and violent propensities must have help at the first indicators of a potential life of violence and incarceration. Violence against animals and humans is strongly linked, so Buddy’s Law is a first step to getsocial justice for all. There is nothing just about waiting until children strike at school or within family and friendship circles. Buddy’s Law lets end the ‘Circle of Violence’ now.”  

In June 2021, In Defense of Animals presented to Sen. Angela Hill letters from more than 14,000 animal advocates imploring her to sponsor Buddy’s Law. Sen. Hill introduced the bill in an effort aimed to intervene on behalf of children on the road to a lifetime of mental health issues and prevent violence to both humans and animals. 

The draft legislation was also supported and championed by Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance. His department had to deal with the frustration and horror of the Buddy case. 

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign has saved thousands of animals, assisting through cruelty investigations, strengthening laws, and enforcing animal cruelty statutes and ordinances in the mid-south for 29 years.

 

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483 

Images: https://bit.ly/BuddyPix

 

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in Marin, California, with over 250,000 supporters and a 39-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as its hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

 

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