Douglas County Sheriff pushing for harsher penalties for animal abuse [Video]

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – In a post on social media, Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson pointed out recent cases of animal abuse that reached the county level and resulted in probation.

He tells First Alert 6 he wants to see harsher penalties than that. Not to see more people in jail, but to hopefully deter others from committing similar crimes.

“If someone is willing to engage in this terrible, brutal, violent behavior against an innocent animal, what are they willing to do to a kid?” asked Hanson. “What are they willing to do to a vulnerable adult?”

Currently, if an animal abuse case goes to the city attorney, they recommend charges and a judge determines the sentence. That can range from a fine to probation, to 180 days in jail. If its brought to the county attorney, a person could face felony charges, up to three years behind bars and 15 year ban from owning or living near animals.

…