Stoughton State Rep. Backs 'PAWS Act' Passed by House, Senate

New legislature sponsored by Massachusetts State Rep. Louis L. Kafka (D-Stoughton) and filed to help support animal safety after last year’s infamous “Puppy Doe tragedy” has been enacted by the House and Senate and has gone to the desk of Gov. Deval Patrick for final approval.

The Joint Committee on Judiciary combined the bill, S.2345 or “An Act Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety,” along with other similar bills filed by State Rep. Bruce Ayers (D-Quincy) and State Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) to create one larger comprehensive bill.

“Animal abuse is a crime that should be taken very seriously, and in this case the current laws of the Commonwealth did not allow an appropriate level of punishment,” Kafka said in a statement.

Last year, authorities were forced to euthanize Puppy Doe, a malnourished and abused pit bull who was found in Quincy and determined to have endured “medieval-style” torture at the hands of a man who was accused of stealing the dog from an elderly Quincy woman. The incident sparked widespread outrage among animal supporters, and prompted the organizing of a Facebook page dubbed “Justice for ‘Puppy Doe.’”

The bill increases penalties for animal abuse and requires veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty, while also creating a task force to consider future protections for animals, according to Kafka’s announcement.

“The passage of this bill is evidence that lawmakers are listening to their constituents who, especially in the wake of the horrific Puppy Doe animal abuse case in Quincy, my district, last year, are demanding stricter penalties for those who abuse or kill animals,” Ayers said in a statement. “As one of the sponsors of this animal welfare bill, I am extremely pleased with this outcome.”

Photo Credit: Justice for Puppy Doe