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Susie’s Law heading to Senate floor

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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

(Updated Wednesday, June 16 - 5:19 am)

By Mark Binker
Staff Writer

RALEIGH — A Senate Judiciary Committee gave a key procedural nod to Susie’s Law, an animal cruelty bill sparked by a Greensboro case.

The measure now goes to the Senate floor, the last step before it would be sent to Gov. Bev Perdue for its signature. No opposition was voiced during Tuesday morning’s committee meeting, and the Senate Judiciary I Committee recommended the measure on a unanimous voice vote.

“I really can’t imagine any reason any human being would set an animal on fire,” said Sen. Margaret Dickson, a Fayetteville Democrat.

Susie is a dog who was beaten, burned and left for dead before being found two weeks later. Greensboro police arrested her attacker, but the charge was his first offense and the judge in the case could not sentence him to jail time.

Susie’s Law raises the level of the felony for animal cruelty, giving judges discretion in similar cases going forward.

Susie herself has appeared at committee meetings on behalf of the bill.

“Just so you know how exciting we are, Susie’s already stretched and lay down for nap,” Judiciary Committee Chairman Martin Nesbitt noted Tuesday morning.

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

Accompanying Photos

Mark Binker

Photo Caption: Susie sits in a House Judiciary Committee hearing on increasing animal cruelty penalties with her current owner, Donna Lawrence.

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d_random

June 15, 2010 - 10:38 am EDT

Join Susie Law on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Susies-Law/403433747183

purplevoter

June 15, 2010 - 11:43 am EDT

The photo of Susie shaking "hands" is wonderful! Congratulations to whoever took that shot! This poor dog went through so much agony at the hands of humans, it's a wonder she turned out so friendly and good natured. This bill deserves to become law, and I hope it does.

warshard

June 15, 2010 - 12:49 pm EDT

Susie's Law should be written in terms that leave no discretion to the court's officer who hears the case: local law decisions are often based on local common law, leaving much descretion to the court's findings--this is especially detrimental to the security of our animals in counties which provide no viable funding for animal shelters. Counties which historically refuse to place any humane emphasis on the importance of animal shelters automatically create an air of negativity regarding animal protection and therefore project that negativity to the local court system's decisions.

purplevoter

June 15, 2010 - 1:56 pm EDT

I hear you about the local angle, and I don't have a problem with making any law of this type tougher. But if it comes down to a case of a less-than-perfect law or no law at all - well, that's a no-brainer.

ForAnimals

June 15, 2010 - 2:58 pm EDT

I totally agree that it should be tougher. I believe this law would only apply to someone intending to kill the animal. It should be all aspects of inhumane treatment. But, it's definitely a start! Susie is such a champ!