New Animal Cruelty Laws Passed

Four new state-level laws improve protection for chickens, dogs, and other animals. Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently signed six new bills into law: one closed major loopholes in Texas’ existing anti-cockfighting law, another calls for reforms for puppy mills, and four others strengthen animal-cruelty punishments and establishes a state-wide Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Month. In Nevada, animal cruelty can now be a felony offense, up from a misdemeanor. The bill was nicknamed “Cooney’s Law,” after a rescue dog who was tortured by his guardian.