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Wisconsin's "Windchill's Law" Reintroduced

Posted by Stephanie Ulmer, Guest Blogger on March 9th, 2012

Last year, “Windchill's Law” was introduced in the Wisconsin Senate, but it fizzled as the legislative session ended. Named in honor of an abused colt, Northland’s NewsCenter reports that,

“the law proposes that ‘great bodily harm’ be added to the animal cruelty provision that covers intentional mutilation, disfigurement or death of an animal. The law would also clarify the abandonment statute, add a new definition to water, expand the number of years that a violator is banned from owning an animal from 5 to 10 years, and allow the court to order a psychological assessment, anger management counseling or psychological counseling for violators who are found guilty and sentenced.”

The colt, named Windchill, was found horribly malnourished while covered in icy snow in temperatures far below freezing. Unable to stand, Windchill died 20 days after authorities discovered the abused colt. The pair who was boarding Windchill was charged with animal negligence.

In a continued effort to strengthen animal abuse laws, State Representative Nick Milroy (D-South Range), with the help of State Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi), is trying to revive the bill during the current legislative session. Representative Milroy hopes that with bipartisanship support, Windchill's Law will pass and Wisconsin’s animals will have the protection they so desperately deserve.

Posted in Update Legal Blog, ALDF Blog

Comments

1. Posted by theresa armstrong on March 9th, 2012
   

   This alaw should be country wide.....Go Windchill's Law...

2. Posted by G on March 9th, 2012
   

   Adding the phrase "Great bodily harm" seems to give abusers a loophole. If they kick a dog and it lives without great bodily harm, is he any less abused?

3. Posted by Juli DeJonghe on March 9th, 2012
   

   I agree with the last post - animal abuse needs to be all inclusive of any type of behavior - whether it be one incident or ongoing - it needs to stop and those who are capable of this behavior need to be held accountable and monitored. I can't even get my head around this incident with this poor colt Windchill. How does one get to that state of mind that they can allow such suffering? It sickens the soul.

4. Posted by Ann Duffy on March 12th, 2012
   

   Put the owners out in the freezing field with no food...that is my solution.