A bill authored by State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, is one step closer to becoming law after passing through the California Assembly Public Safety Committee Tuesday.

The committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 1024 on June 19. The bill, known as the Animal Cruelty & Violence Intervention Act of 2018, would change the way California handles animal abuse offenders. 

“Animal abuse crimes should be treated seriously because they are serious,” said Wilk, who is the parent of a rescue dog. “Our animal friends need and deserve our protection, but this bill isn’t just about them. It’s also about our mothers and daughters, our friends and neighbors, our children and grandchildren, it’s about all of us.”

Wilk cited statistics that show in some cases, 71 percent of domestic violence offenders also abused animals at some point, and that 70 percent of the most violent prisoners in a study of federal prisons had serious animal abuse in their histories.

“There’s no denying the existence of a problem here and it has become ever more apparent that our current mechanisms for identifying and addressing these offenders is neither restorative, nor rehabilitative in any meaningful way,” Wilk said. “Animal abuse is often the first act of violence committed by a troubled individual and it is typical that the family pet be the target of violence before the wife, the kids, and the community. For that reason it is imperative that we do something to intervene at that early stage before the victim count rises.”

The bill requires offenders convicted under animal abuse crimes to undergo mandatory mental health assessments and, if deemed beneficial by the assessing mental health professional, to seek ongoing counseling.

The bill is supported by legislative, animal rights and law enforcement leaders including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane Society and the California Police Chiefs Association. 

Senate Bill 1024 will next be heard in the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

Ed. Note: This information was provided to KHTS by State Senator Scott Wilk’s Office

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