Signatures Submitted for Animal Cruelty Measure | Video

Alex Hagan/Alyssa Marino | 8/7/2012

North Dakotans to Stop Animal Cruelty submitted more than 25,000 signatures in support of felony animal cruelty legislation. The group only needed just over 13,000 signatures to get the ballot measure to make extreme acts of cruelty to dogs, cats, and horses punishable as felonies.

North Dakota is one of only two states that does not have felony level penalties for extreme acts of cruelty to companion animals. Members of the group are excited to finally have the ballot measure after so many years.

"In North Dakota, it is a felony to spray paint a building if it costs $2,000 in damage. Yet it is a mere misdemeanor to intentionally set a puppy on fire, or crush a kitten or beat a horse to death. This is not justice and it`s time for our laws to reflect our North Dakota values," said campaign manager Karen Thunshelle.

The Secretary of State`s office has 35 days to review the signatures.The measure would go to North Dakota voters on November 6.

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