Arizona Senate passes bill aimed to crack down on animal abuse

The Arizona Senate passed a bill on Monday expanding animal cruelty laws to offer more protections to pets against abuse or neglect.

BY ROXANNE DE LA ROSA

Mar 19, 2025, 4:45 AM Updated: 1:22 pm

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PHOENIX — The Arizona Senate passed a bill on Monday expanding animal cruelty laws to offer more protections for pets against abuse or neglect.

The provisions to SB1234 state that a “person who commits cruelty to domestic animals by an intentional, knowing, or reckless act is subject to a criminal penalty ranging from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony.”

The bill also modified what is considered “cruel neglect” toward an animal and added stiffer penalties for people who abuse animals.

What changes did the Arizona Senate pass in animal cruelty bill?

One change to the bill identifies failure to provide food and suitable drinking water for pets as animal cruelty. Dogs must have access to adequate shelter or shade with enough space to stand, sit or lie down. Animals must be cared for in a manner that reduces the risk of illness, infestation or parasites.

The changes came after the Arizona Humane Society saw a rise in animal cruelty cases across the state. Last year, the group responded to more than 10,000 animal cruelty cases.

Additionally, the bill broadened the definition of what is considered a domestic animal to include birds, reptiles and amphibians that are kept or bred to be pets or companions.

The new law also states that failure to provide necessary medical attention to prevent “unreasonable” suffering could also be considered animal abuse.

Republican Sen. Shawnna Bolick sponsored the bill to hold people who mistreat animals accountable. The legislation received support from both sides of the aisle with the Senate passing the bill 22-4.

“This legislation sends a strong message that animal cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated in any form in the state of Arizona,” Bolick said in a release. “These innocent animals are voiceless, but when they suffer, it speaks volumes of the type of individuals we’re dealing with who are causing this despicable harm.”