Dear Editor,
The Jones County High School chapter of Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, is a student organization that develops leaders by exploring personal, work, and societal issues. Students in the organization compete in a variety of areas on region, state and national levels. One of the competitions includes an advocacy project which focuses on addressing issues of a current law or policy. This year, several FCCLA students are advocating for a change in State Law 16-12-4 along with Chapter 14 of the Jones County Code of Ordinances which revolves around the issue of animal abuse. Animal abuse as defined by State Law 16-12-4 is when “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals when he or she causes death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to any animal by an act, an omission, or willful neglect.” The State law punishment for abusing/ neglecting animals ranges from a maximum fine of up to a $15,000 and 1-5 years served. In contrast, the County only fines individuals up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days of county jail or community service making county punishments a fraction of the state punishment. We are advocating to increase the severity of the county law to seek more security for the animals subjected to abuse and neglect. As a result of the abuse and neglect that animals may suffer, many will require long term specialized care and rehabilitation before adoption. Furthermore, these animals are often forced into a loop of shelters before finding a home thus creating a greater expense for taxpayers. The goal of our project is to spread awareness of this issue in hopes of making changes in both the law and the lives of abused and neglected animals. If your civic group is interested in our FCCLA members presenting on State and County animal abuse laws and how they can help, please contact the group at Jones County High School.
Sincerely, AJ Mathis, Austin Pippin, and Trae Vaughn JCHS FCCLA
