An abused dog who could use this bill (Flickr Creative Commons/Leland Francisco).

In reaction to the horrific torture of a pit bull named “Puppy Doe,” legislators in Massachusetts say that they plan to file a bill that would create a statewide registry of convicted animal abusers. 

State Representative Bruce J. Ayers wants to support a new bill that would create harsher penalties and punish those who have tortured innocent animals in their custody.

Prosecutors said that Puppy Doe was found in Quincy Park with blunt force trauma to the chest, burns, a stab wound to the eye, multiple vertebrae fractures and dislocated joints. The rescue team claims that they had never seen such a horrific case of animal cruelty. 

Animal lovers, Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey, State Representative Bruce J. Ayers, the Animal Rescue League of Boston and many other officials gathered in Pageant Field to attend the vigil in remembrance of Puppy Doe. Everyone in attendance expressed their want for a reform of state animal cruelty laws. 

The legislation has been named the “PAWS” Act, Act of Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety. This bill would not only aim to keep dangerous individuals away from owning a pet, but it would also increase the fines of first offenders up to $10,000, as well charging re-offenders up to $20,000 with a 10-year prison sentence.

The Puppy Doe bill would also increase the fines of hit-and-run drivers involved with animal accidents from $50 to $2,000 with the possibility of jail time. Legislation also proposes that all animal shelters, breeders and pet stores should be required to monitor the registry of offenders before selling or giving an animal to anyone. 

Chelsea Giudice, an animal lover and pit bull owner, says, "What's happened to this dog, and to the thousands of other cases we do and do not hear about, is utterly despicable. I completely support this bill and everything it stands for. Abusing anyone or anything, let alone a defenseless animal, deems someone completely unworthy of any dignity or respect."

Though this bill has gained mass attention, it is not the first bill filed this session that has brought up the matter of animal cruelty and the need to increase penalties associated with animal abuse. Many bills such as An Act to Ensure Adequate Care of Animals in Cities and Towns, An Act to Prevent Farm Animal Cruelty, and many more have addressed this subject. 

The Quincy Police Department has been diligently searching for Puppy Doe’s abuser, asking the public for tips and going as far as to trace her ownership history all the way to Connecticut. Though Puppy Doe had been bought and sold several times on Craigslist, investigators have managed to find her last known owners who have agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Though subpoenas have even been issued to trace cell phone records of those involved with this case, no arrests have been announced so far. 

Ali Fretwell, another animal lover and pit bull owner, says, "I think that animals have been neglected by our legal system. Animals have become a part of families across the country and the people who purposely hurt helpless animals should be punished more than a small fine. Even more, they shouldn't be allowed to own an animal ever again."

Reach Staff Reporter Janelle Cabuco here.