June 13, 2011

Senate Bill 223, known as Cooney’s bill, became Cooney’s Law in Nevada last week! It is now a felony to unjustifiably multilate, torture, maim, or kill animals. The law was named after a three year old beagle that was brutally killed by her owner last year. At the time, the only penalty allowed by law was a misdemeanor.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who signed the bill into law, is animal lover himself, with four dogs and two cats among his menagerie of pets. He also signed Senate Bill 299 a puppy mill law requiring animal breeders to obtain permits, be subject to a premise inspection by animal control, and prohibits the breeding of female dogs younger than 18 months of age.