Legislative Priorities
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Expanding Desmond's Law to Include All Animals (ongoing)
SB 1060 – An Act Concerning the Appointment of an Advocate in Proceedings Concerning the Welfare or Custody of Animals would expand “Desmond’s Law” to include not just dogs and cats but all animals. The measure would allow a court advocate to be appointed in cases of animal abuse and cruelty.
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Strengthening Animal Sexual Abuse Laws (effective Oct. 1, 2023)
HB 6714 - Cruelty to Animals (this bill has three parts: expanded definition of sexual assault of animals, required possession ban on people convicted of animal cruelty, and mandatory veterinary reporting of cruelty to animals).
CT Laws Pertaining to Animal Cruelty
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Desmond's Law
Substitute House Bill No. 5344 | Public Act No. 16-30
AN ACT CONCERNING SUPPORT FOR CATS AND DOGS THAT
ARE NEGLECTED OR TREATED CRUELLY.
(October 1, 2016)
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Connecticut's Animal Cruelty Laws and Other Animal Protection Laws
​Connecticut law prohibits many abusive behaviors toward animals and provides different penalties based on the severity of the abuse and the abuser's intent. (Revised: August 14, 2024 | 2024-R-0141)
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Cruelty to Animals
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Malicious or Intentional Cruelty to Animals
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Engaging in Exhibition of Animal Fighting
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Intentionally Injuring or Killing Police Animals or Dogs in Volunteer Canine Service and Rescue Teams
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Sexual Assault of an Animal
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Additional Penalties for Certain Animal Cruelty Crimes
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Other Animal Cruelty Laws: Cruelty to Poultry, Docking of Horses’ Tails, Sale or Gift of Dyed Fowl or Rabbits, Use of Animals, Reptiles, and Birds for Certain Financial Gain
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General Penalty for Companion Animal Violations
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Removing an Abused or Neglected Animal From its Owner
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Other Selected Animal Protection Laws: Animal Population Control Program. Dog Tethering and Sheltering, Municipal or Regional Dog Pound Standards, Service Animals
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Connecticut Statutes
Michigan State University College of Law. Animal Legal and Historical Center.
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The Link Between Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty – Cross-Reporting
Connecticut State Department of Children and Families Social Workers (DCF)must report suspected animal abuse/neglect to the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and the DOA also reports instances of suspected child abuse/neglect to DCF. DCF also submits annual reports since 2015 to the legislature summarizing the cross-reporting of the previous year.
Governmental / Judicial Links
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Contact Your Legislators
Desmond’s Army works closely with our legislators and may, from time to time, request that our members contact their local and state representatives. Click here to find your local and state legislators.
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Case Look Up
Click here to go to the case look-up page.
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Register to Vote
Click here to register to vote online.
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Desmond’s Law Advocates
Click here to see the list of Court Appointed Advocates
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Report Suspected Animal Abuse
Click here to fill out the online Suspected Animal Abuse Form.
Printable Flyers
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Full page – Hot Car Flyer with Good Samaritan Law – print double-sided
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2 per page – Hot Car Flyer with Good Samaritan Law – print double-sided
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1 sided – Hot Car Flyer with Good Samaritan Law
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2 per page – Hot Pavement Flyer