South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has signed the just passed animal cruelty bill. Senate Bill 46 increases the penalty for conviction of animal cruelty in the state to a felony.

Humane Society of the United States Ag Director Joe Maxwell commended the Governor and Legislators for getting South Dakota up to speed with other states on animal cruelty penalties.

Maxwell says the legislation represented a good compromise between several different groups who came together to do the right thing and is an example of what other state’s need to do.

Maxwell is pleased that animals are protected with this legislation and that normal animal production practices are also upheld.