Proposed bill would ban animal abusers from owning pets
DENVER — A state lawmaker wants to stop anyone convicted of animal abuse from owning or living with a pet.
Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver) introduced HB19-1092, which would prohibit anyone who has been convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty from owning an animal of any kind for up to five years. A person with a felony animal cruelty conviction could face up to a 10 year ban from owning an animal.
The proposed legislation would also allow judges to include therapy or anger management classes in the animal cruelty sentence in an effort to prevent further violent crimes.
The bill goes to the House Judiciary Committee for a hearing on Thursday.
Puppies are carried by an official at a home connected to a dog fighting ring in this photo provided by the ASPCA. (AP Photo/ASPCA)