Legislation/Policy Article used with permission from All-Creatures.org

In Defense of Animals reports that Iowa has just passed legislation to make animal cruelty a felony on the first offense. Iowa is the final state in the U.S. to enact such a law.

Iowa Governor Signs Felony Animal Cruelty Bill
From Staff, IDA In Defense of Animals, idausa.org
May 2026

Images from Canva

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 12, 2026) — In Defense of Animals joins the Animal Rescue League of Iowa in applauding Gov. Kim Reynolds for signing legislation making animal cruelty a felony on the first offense.

“We’re grateful to lawmakers and the governor for updating the state’s cruelty law to better serve some of the most vulnerable residents in the state,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Senior Campaigner. “Far too often we see offenders get away with a slap on the wrist, despite the unspeakable harm they’ve caused to animals. We hope this change supports the message that cruelty to animals won’t be tolerated.”

Until now, Iowa was the last state in the U.S. that didn’t charge animal abusers with a felony for their first offense. Not only is this a disservice to animal victims of cruelty, it lets those who abuse them off the hook with little accountability for the harm they cause.

“We are very pleased that legislators came together to pass this bill and protect animals from the most heinous abuse,” said Tom Colvin, CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. “We can now take Iowa off the roster as being the only state in the country that doesn’t have a felony animal torture bill.”

Animal cruelty must be taken seriously by the public, law enforcement, and the courts, particularly when we recognize the potential for violence against animals to escalate to violence against people, and authorities should have the tools they need to ensure penalties for these crimes reflect the suffering they cause.

In Defense of Animals’ supported this legislation with an alert urging the governor to sign it.

Under the new law, a person commits animal torture if they “intentionally, willfully, and maliciously mutilates, burns, poisons, drowns, starves or causes intensive or prolonged pain or death to an animal companion, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same.”

Violators would be charged with a Class D felony, which comes with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,425. It also increases penalties for repeat offenders.

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: May 13, 2026
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