JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Though pets are valuable parts of many households in Mississippi, a recent report shows that Mississippi laws regarding animal welfare may be anything but a treat for them.
The Jackson metro and Mississippi overall have no shortage of animal cruelty cases. Laws exist to charge and criminally prosecute those who abuse animals. However, gaps in the state’s legal system exist. As a result, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) ranked Mississippi as the fifth-worst state for animal protection laws in late January.
ALDF revealed that Mississippi earned its spot because state lawmakers have yet to pass several important protections. For example, Mississippi’s law permitting seizure and forfeiture of cruelly treated animals only applies to a few species, such as cats, dogs and equines.
Additionally, important sentencing provisions — such as laws prohibiting convicted abusers from owning or residing with animals or requiring offenders to undergo psychological evaluations and treatment — are only available for cases involving cats and dogs. Aside from legal gaps in Mississippi, health disparities may also exist for its animals.
According to a 2024 analysis from Forbes, dogs in the state had the highest percentage of positive cases for both heartworm and hookworm. The state also had the second-highest percentage of feline immunodeficiency virus cases and the sixth-highest percentage of feline leukemia virus cases among cats.
The various sentences for crimes against animals range from five days to 10 years in prison. Under Mississippi statute, the crime with the lightest potential sentence is harassment of a public service animal. The longest sentences are reserved for those who sexually assault animals or for repeat offenders of dogfighting and aggravated cruelty to domesticated dogs or cats.
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https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/mississippis-legal-protections-for-animals-among-worst-in-us-report/
