Group finds loopholes in Ariz. animal cruelty laws
Web Producer: Taylor Avey
PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix task force is working on a legislative proposal to close loopholes in Arizona animal cruelty laws that have enabled some suspects to avoid prosecution.
The task force contends that prosecutors cannot pursue some cases because of the vague language that sets the standards for what constitutes animal neglect, cruelty and abandonment.
The Arizona Republic reports that Phoenix police investigated 298 complaints of animal cruelty and abandonment last year. Most of the cases involved abandoned animals, and police couldn't find the owners.
Police dismissed 37 cases after finding no crime. They arrested suspects in 38 cases, and city prosecutors took 17 of them to court.
Task force members believe some of those dismissed cases might have led to convictions if the state had clearer language in its animal cruelty laws.
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