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RALEIGH — The animal cruelty law named for an abused and burned Greensboro dog passed a key legislative committee Tuesday and is on a fast track to passing the General Assembly.

Susie’s Law, inspired from outrage over a case involving a pit bull-mix puppy, would increase the penalties for abusing animals. Under the bill, judges would have discretion to give those convicted jail time in severe cases.

Lashawn Whitehead of Greensboro was convicted of beating, burning and leaving his girlfriend’s dog for dead but received only 6 to 8 months of probation — the maximum penalty allowed under current law — after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty.

Backers of the bill told the House Judiciary III Committee on Tuesday that the judge should have been able to sentence Whitehead to jail.

To help make the case, Susie herself came to the committee, wagging her tail and licking committee members as owner Donna Lawrence and one-time foster parent Roberta Wall made their way to the front of the room.

“She was so loving, even after being tortured by a human,” Wall said.

Susie, who still has scars and disfigured ears, sat patiently as committee members debated.

The bill would raise the level of felony for animal cruelty by one notch in the state’s structured sentencing system, which would allow courts to sentence even first-time offenders to jail. It also raises the penalty for intentionally starving an animal.

“It was pretty clear we had a weakness in our law in terms of a deterrent for animal cruelty,” Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat and one of several House sponsors, said.

The measure has been put on a fast track to passage by using a process known as “gut and amend.” Lawmakers use a bill that has already made it part of the way through the legislative process, strip it of its original language and substitute the desired new law. Susie’s Law will next go to the House floor, and it is possible the Senate could bypass committee hearings on the bill entirely.

Still, the measure has opponents. Rep. Nick Mackey, a Charlotte Democrat, attempted to water down the measure and voted against passage. An organization that has fought regulations on puppy breeders also spoke out against the bill.

“I’m asking you not to spend money on something that’s not needed,” said Henri McClees, speaking on behalf of the N.C. Sporting Dog Association.  “North Carolina already has strong laws.”

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com