Those who torture animals in Iowa will soon face tougher penalties. The Iowa Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill which raises the penalties for torturing a dog or cat — and it requires the convict to undergo counseling. Governor Tom Vilsack says he’ll sign the bill into law. He says there is some indication of a link between animal cruelty and a later propensity for violence against human beings.Those found guilty of animal torture face up to two years in prison on the first offense. A second conviction would be a felony and land someone in prison for up to five years. The light sentences given two men convicted of killing 23 cats in Fairfield outraged the public two years ago, prompting lawmakers to toughen the penalty for animal torture.
