Oregon is the best state for animal protection laws, says new report

(SEPTEMBER 20, 2024) For the first time, Oregon is the top state for animal protection laws, according to a report by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. This group works to protect animals through the law.  Its report, which has been published for 18 years, looks at how strong or weak each state's animal protection laws are and ranks them based on a detailed review of over 3,600 pages of laws.

After Oregon, the next best states for animal protection are Maine (2), Illinois (3), Massachusetts (4), and Colorado (5). North Dakota has the weakest laws and is ranked last (50th), followed by Alabama (49), Idaho (48), South Carolina (47), and Kentucky (46). 

Oregon earned its top ranking because the state has passed important laws to protect animals. For example, courts in Oregon can include animals in orders to protect people from domestic violence. This means people can keep their pets when they leave an abusive situation. Also, if someone has been convicted of domestic violence or child abuse, they can face harsher punishment if they abuse animals. Veterinarians in Oregon must report serious animal cruelty, and they are protected by law for doing so. Oregon also has a law that stops people who have been convicted of animal cruelty from owning certain animals for a period of time: five years for a misdemeanor and 15 years for a felony.

However, Oregon can still improve. For example, veterinarians are only required to report serious cases of cruelty, not lesser forms of abuse. Also, the ban on owning animals only applies to certain types of animals, not all species.

The report also talks about a new trend in laws called "bond-or-forfeit." These laws help cities and counties deal with the cost of caring for animals taken during an animal cruelty case. Often, it can take a long time for the case to end, and during that time, the animals need care. These laws make the person accused of cruelty pay for the animals' care or give up ownership so the animals can be adopted.

Chris Green, the Executive Director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, says that while some states are improving their laws, every state still has work to do to better protect animals.