A bill that would make abusing a family pet a felony, regardless of whether the animal lives or dies, is advancing through the Virginia General Assembly.
Under the legislation, also known as SB-1604, the state could charge with a Class 6 felony anyone who “cruelly and unnecessarily beating, maiming, mutilating, or killing a dog or cat.”
“Current law requires that the dog or cat die as a direct result of torture, or inhumane injury or pain, before the violation is a Class 6 felony,” according to the bill, which was proposed by Virginia State Sen. Bill R. DeSteph, Jr. (R).
{mosads}DeSteph, Jr. first introduced the legislation earlier this month.
The bill has since advanced past the committee level and could be voted on by the state Senate and House soon, according to local station WAVY.
“I think if you beat or torture a dog it should be a felony regardless,” the Virginia Republican said in reference to the measure on Monday.
According to the local publication, the bill has earned the backing of local Animal Control officers who have recently reported seeing a spike in severe abuse to dogs.