Legislators: Abuse could lead to more violence


04/07/05
Luke Broadwater

When an Ellicott City man was found guilty for aggravated assault to an animal last week, it marked the first time someone was convicted in the county under a recent law making the crime a felony.

The Maryland General Assembly made aggravated assault to an animal a felony in 2001 because studies show that animal abuse is sometimes a precursor to crimes against humans and therefore should be vigorously prosecuted, legislators said.

Under the bill, someone convicted of animal abuse in Maryland can be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison and fined $5,000.
Prior to the bill's passage, animal mutilation was a misdemeanor in Maryland that carried the same prison sentence and fine but not other penalties associated with a felony.

Those convicted of a felony in Maryland also lose their voting privileges and cannot hold public office. Employers often ask job seekers whether they have been convicted of a felony.

Sen. Philip C. Jimeno, the lead sponsor of the Senate version of the
2001 bill, said he hoped the law would "send a message" to law enforcement officials that animal abuse can sometimes lead to violence against humans.

"We found that aggravated assault on animals often leads to abuse on a spouse, children, boyfriend, girlfriend or other humans," Jimeno said. "You can trace crimes against humans back to animal cruelty.
We passed the bill to create a deterrent, but also to send a message that we want police, prosecutors and judges to know that this is a serious crime."

Jimeno cited several studies he said the Humane Society of the United States provided him showing that animal abuse is connected to violence against humans.

For example, a 1983 survey of families that owned pets and had been referred to New Jersey social services for child abuse revealed that in 88 percent of those families at least one person had abused animals and in two-thirds a parent had abused or killed a pet, according to the Humane Society.

Jimeno, who represents Anne Arundel County, said he knew of at least five felony convictions in Maryland under the law.

Kenneth C. Montague, a former member of the House of Delegates and the current secretary of Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services, was the lead sponsor of the house version of the bill. He also cited studies showing that animal abuse can sometimes escalate into violence against humans.

"The crime alone is deserving of a felony, but there was also a lot of evidence that indicated that animal abuse can lead to crimes against humans," he said.

Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Columbia Democrat, was a co-sponsor of the House bill. She said that animal cruelty is a felony in nearly every other state in the country.

"If it's intentional and done in a cruel way, then I think it's deserving of that increased punishment," Bobo said.

House bill adds penalties

The Maryland House of Delegates has this legislative session overwhelmingly passed a bill that would increase the punishments for aggravated assault to an animal to a maximum of five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000, if the abuse results in the animal's death.

The bill's impetus was an August 2003 incident in which a newborn llama at the Salisbury Zoo was slashed with a knife, leaving it so mutilated it had to be euthanized, said the bill's lead sponsor, Del. Norman H. Conway, who represents Wicomico and Worcester counties.

The man accused of committing the crime was sentenced to one year in jail and a fine of $675, according to the Associated Press and several other media accounts.

Conway said he and some other Eastern Shore residents considered the punishment too light.

"When you do something like that, it's a telltale sign that you might do something to humans," Conway said. "To do something like that is incomprehensible."

Conway's bill passed the house in March on a 131-3 vote. It awaits action in the Senate.

E-mail Luke Broadwater at lbroadwater@patuxent.com.

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