LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Ethan's Law is headed to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's desk to be signed.
House Bill 258 would protect animals from cruelty and neglect. It's known as "Ethan’s Law" and honors the Louisville dog that survived severe neglect and abuse.
The bill expands the definition of torture for a dog or cat. The bill would also ensure that animal abusers are held accountable for their first offense by making the crime a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Now that the Kentucky Senate passed the bill, it just needs Beshear's signature.
Lt. Jai Hamilton, cruelty investigator for the Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control told Lex18 that this will make a difference.
"This new law is really going to open up the language so that a lot more of the cases that were once more a misdemeanor can be charged as a felony," said Hamilton.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranked Kentucky as the fifth-worst state for animal protection laws.
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