The Humane Society of the United States has released their annual ranking of states based on legislation regulating animal welfare passed in 2014. South Dakota landed 51st on the list, only above Puerto Rico. Vice President of Outreach and Engagement for HSUS, Joe Maxwell says South Dakota made a large step in enacting felony level penalties for animal cruelty, but the state lags in terms of spay and neuter programs required before pets are adopted…
Maxwell says that recent incidents involving dogs on South Dakota’s Indian Reservations have also spurred efforts to control dog populations…
In terms of animal agriculture, Maxwell mentioned gestation crates, hen housing, and veal crates. He says HSUS will continue to work with processors and restaurants to eliminate these practices….
Other states in the region were ranked fairly close together with Iowa 25th, Minnesota 26th, Nebraska 28th, and North Dakota coming in 48th on the annual ranking.
