Judiciary Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-923
AN ACT CONCERNING REVIEW OF ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS BY THE
Title: CONNECTICUT SENTENCING COMMISSION.
Vote Date: 3/29/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/12/2021
File No.: 424
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
The Judiciary Committee
Rep. Dorinda Borer, 115th Dist., Rep. Craig C. Fishbein, 90th Dist.,
Rep. David K. Labriola, 131st Dist., Rep. Jason Doucette, 13th Dist.,
Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, 105th Dist., Rep. Lucy Dathan, 142nd Dist.,
Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, 106th Dist., Rep. Kenneth M Gucker, 138th Dist.,
Rep. David Michel, 146th Dist., Sen. James J. Maroney, 14th Dist.,
Rep. Kathy Kennedy, 119th Dist. Rep. Kurt Vail, 52nd Dist.,
Rep. William A. Petit, 22nd Dist., Rep. Mary Welander, 114th Dist.,
Rep. Laura M. Devlin, 134th Dist., Sen. Alex Kasser, 36th Dist.,
Sen. Heather S. Somers, 18th Dist., Sen. Will Haskell, 26th Dist.,
Rep. Patrick E. Callahan, 108th Dist., Rep. Patricia A. Dillon, 92nd Dist.,
Rep. Greg S. Howard, 43rd Dist., Sen. Saud Anwar, 3rd Dist.,
Rep. Cindy Harrison, 69th Dist., Rep. Jane M. Garibay, 60th Dist.
Rep. Donna Veach, 30th Dist.,
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill would require the Connecticut Sentencing Commission to review animal cruelty law
penalties in other states and make legislative recommendations for changes to state law.
Connecticut animal cruelty laws are insufficient and do not reflect the proven correlation
between animal cruelty and escalating forms of violence. Connecticut is one of fourteen
states which do not have any laws explicitly authorizing or mandating psychological
evaluations for animal cruelty offenders. This bill would also direct the Sentencing
Commission to make recommendations that increase sentencing and criminalization, if the
recommendations are in line with other states or national trends.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
State of Connecticut, Department of Agriculture, Commissioner, Bryan P. Hurlburt; supports
this bill stating that a review by the Sentencing Commission could enact changes to reflect
the rapidly evolving field of animal welfare. It is also stated that the department requests
inclusion in the review process because it has oversight of Animal Control Officers and
enforcement of animal welfare laws.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Connecticut General Assembly, State Representative, Dorinda Borer; supports this bill stating
that Connecticut's current law on animal cruelty CGS 53-247, does the bare minimum to
prosecute those who harm animals. It is also stated that the latest report from the
Connecticut Office of Legislative Research shows that in the past 10 years 80% of the
approximately 3800 animal cruelty arrests were not prosecuted. An amendment was
suggested to include: (1) require psychological evaluation, especially for youth who have
been charged with animal cruelty; (2) ban on future possession of animals of convicted; (3)
education for those involved in the criminal system regarding the link between animal cruelty
and other crimes; (4) involve parties who have been studying these issues to collaborate on
solutions with the Sentencing Commission; and (5) change the reporting date to January
2022.
Connecticut General Assembly, State Representative, Nicole Klarides-Ditria; supports this bill
stating that this proposal is a crucial step in the right direction for our state to call on and
reevaluate how we hold offenders accountable for instances of animal cruelty. It is also stated
that researchers have found a direct correlation between cruelty towards animals and
violence towards humans.
American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, Interim Senior Policy Counsel, Kelly
McConney Moore supports this bill but opposes increasing sentencing and criminalization. It
is also stated that longer sentences do not have any significant deterrent effect and reduced
sentences do not impact public safety.
Animal Legal Defense Fund, Senior Legislative Affairs Manager, Stephanie J. Harris;
supports this bill stating that by enacting a law addressing psychological evaluations, the
state would be preventing future crimes and protecting potential victims.
American Kennel Club, New England, Legislative Analyst and Community Outreach
Coordinator, Attorney, Stacey Ober; supports this bill and requests that the Connecticut
Department of Agriculture have a role in the process.
Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners, President, Laurie A.
Maulucci; supports enforcement of laws and regulations that provide penalties for neglect or
cruelty to animals. It is stated that the Department of Agriculture should take the lead role in
reviewing animal cruelty laws rather than the Sentencing Commission.
Connecticut Votes for Animals, Executive Director, Jo-Anne Basile; supports this bill stating
that current statutes are overlapping, at times contradictory, and lack adequate terminology. It
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is also stated that an equally important reason for this review is to address the link between
animal cruelty and other forms of violence.
The Humane Society of the United States, Connecticut Senior State Director, Annie Hornish;
supports this bill stating that procedural outcomes of animal cruelty offenses in Connecticut
from 2002 through 2018 yield concerning statistics. It is also stated that a study found over
70% over women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners had
threatened, abused, or killed the family pet.
University of Connecticut, School of Law, Director of Animal Law Clinic, Jessica Rubin;
supports this bill stating that the states current laws relating to animal treatment do not offer
a current or internally consistent framework. It is also added that the substitute language
offered by Representative Dorinda Borer should be adopted.
Marlborough, Connecticut, Resident, Carol Phelps; supports this bill stating that the
sentencing recommendations should not be solely in the hands of the Sentencing
Commission as the members do not understand nuances of animal care.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Stated.
Reported by: Rose Hirschl Date: April 7, 2021
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