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MEDIA RELEASE: Revived Buddy’s Law Win in Mississippi Delights Animal and Childrens’ Advocates

MEDIA RELEASE: Revived Buddy’s Law Win in Mississippi Delights Animal and Childrens’ Advocates

JACKSON, Miss. (March 30, 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) has once again passed the Mississippi Senate on Tuesday, March 29. The bill has been nixed, resurrected, passed, killed, resurrected, and passed again during this legislative session.

Images and video of the Justice for Animals award ceremony (available free for use with credit to In Defense of Animals): https://bit.ly/JusticeAwardPix

Sen. Angela Burks Hill introduced Buddy’s Law and announced the promising news for the bill at an award ceremony on the capitol steps yesterday. Sen. Hill and 13 other senators were presented with Justice for Animals Awards for their work to pass SB 2658, a 2020 bill which strengthened the Mississippi Dog and Cat Protection Law of 2011.

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.

Images and video of Buddy (available free for use with credit per filename): https://bit.ly/BuddyPix

Animal abuse survivor Buddy was tortured with fire. Youth perpetrators of violence currently face no consequences and receive no mental health support. Photo: Mississippi State University

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann nixed the bill in January and revived it in February after advocates flooded his office with over 12,000 emails supporting Buddy’s Law. He is expected to sign the bill before the Mississippi legislative session ends this Sunday, April 3. If the Lt. Gov. does not sign or veto the bill, Buddy’s Law will become law in 15 days.

“We are thrilled that after two years and a rollercoaster ride this session, Buddy’s Law will finally start protecting animals and youths,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director. “The precious dog whose face was scorched by a minor did not suffer in vain. Violent juvenile offenders must receive treatment to prevent animals and humans suffering at their hands in future. We urge Lt. Gov. Hosemann to sign Buddy’s Law right away so minors who torture animals receive desperately-needed mental health care.”

In Defense of Animals and Mississippi Citizens Against Animal Cruelty awarded 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 will bring social justice for abused animals and for abused and abusive children. It addresses the vital need to aid children with a propensity for violence that manifests itself in acts of animal torture. Without mental health intervention, children who abuse animals may lead a life of violence and incarceration. Left unchecked, animal abuse could develop into school shootings, domestic violence, and a myriad of other horrors. 

“In Defense of Animals, Mississippi Citizens Against Animal Cruelty, and fellow advocates congratulate and thank Sen. Hill and all the bill co-sponsors who championed this important animal protection bill,” said Stanley. “Their work builds on the legacy of compassion left by the late Sen. Dearing. We also presented this animal champion with a justice for animals award this week and our state senators follow in his footsteps. They have acted in the best interest of the electorate. Buddy’s Law will directly protect animals and children, and benefit all vulnerable citizens in Mississippi.”

The family of beloved Sen. Bob Dearing received his Justice for Animals, “Godfather of Mississippi Animals” Award. The late Sen. Dearing was a committed animal advocate who championed the cause of animals and fellow humans in his 36 years as a Mississippi state senator, retiring in 2019. In 2018, Sen. Dearing worked with Stanley to pass SB 2934, which strengthened Mississippi’s dogfighting statute, MS § 97-41-19. Mississippi lost an honorable legislator and man when he passed on July 30, 2019.

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 and video of the Justice for Animals award ceremony (available free for use with credit to In Defense of Animals): https://bit.ly/JusticeAwardPix

Images and video of Buddy (available free for use with credit per filename): 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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