Advocates say Farm Bureau Blocking Animal Abuse Law

In Mississippi, deliberate acts of cruelty against cats and dogs is a misdemeanor. But one group is trying to change that. MPB's Patty Davis reports.

A bill that would have made deliberate animal cruelty a felony in Mississippi, died last year in the Senate. Tiffany Frouchie with FACT - MS, " Fighting Animal Cruelty Together", says the legislation was blocked when the MS Farm Bureau Federation interceeded.

Frouchie: Because they believe, from what we've been told, that it will snowball and become legislation against other acts of animal cruelty within the farming community. Which is not at all our target. We are pro farmer, pro agriculture, we love the agricultural heritage of our state. We just want to protect cats and dogs from wilful and malicious torture and intentional neglect.

According to Farm Bureau President David Waide, the proposed legislation would have impacted Mississippi meat producers.

Waide: And some of the consequences of this type bill can have complications with the production practices. We want the consumer to continue to have an affordable, abundant supply of safe food. And that's what's critical to us and to our membership.

About a dozen protesters waved stop cruelty signs in front of the Jackson headquarters of Farm Bureau Wednesday. One of their messages Frouchie says, is that a tougher animal cruelty law could reduce more violent crimes.

Frouchie: If you can beat your dog, there's a good chance you can beat your kid. That may escalate into something else. It's also important to realize that it is a community safety issue. And the state of Mississippi has had issues where we've been unable to prosecute people fully, for acts of cruelty.

Animal cruelty laws in several states have met with opposition from livestock and poultry producers. For MPB News, I'm Patty Davis