Animal Cruelty Cases Are Skyrocketing, Here’s How CT Lawmakers Plan To Help Stop That

Several dogs have been found dead across Connecticut in recent weeks, including a severely emaciated dog whose body was left near a church in Wolcott.

This week, animal advocates and lawmakers announced a push for stronger state laws to combat animal cruelty — including making starvation of an animal a felony offense.

The bipartisan Connecticut Legislative Animal Welfare Caucus this week released its legislative agenda for the 2026 Connecticut General Assembly session.

“Our furry friends give us unconditional love, comfort, and so much joy — and they deserve laws that reflect that bond. Strengthening Connecticut’s animal cruelty protections isn’t just good policy, it’s the right thing to do to safeguard the voiceless and show compassion for all God’s creatures,” said State Rep. Kathy Kennedy.

Lawmakers said they will present a package of proposals aimed at addressing an “alarming increase” in animal cruelty cases.

Desmond’s Army, an animal advocacy organization, joined lawmakers as they announced the proposals.

Passed in 2016, Desmond’s Law allows court-appointed advocates to speak for voiceless dogs and cats in cruelty cases.

The caucus proposes to expand this law to cover all companion animals, including birds, rabbits and other household pets.

It also proposes to make animal starvation a felony offense. Another proposal is to limit the use of accelerated rehabilitation and other prison diversionary programs in cases of violent and egregious animal cruelty.

The 2026 legislative session convenes on Feb. 4 and adjourns May 6.

Desmond’s Army recently studied 533 Connecticut animal cruelty cases from 2016-2025. According to the organization, of those cases:

• 85.8% of cases were charged as misdemeanors
• 68.8% of violent crimes were charged as misdemeanors
• 40% of animal victims were not dogs or cats
• 79.8% of violent crimes involved domestic violence

Zilla Cannamela, president of Desmond’s Army, said, “Limiting diversionary programs in violent cruelty instances and classifying starvation as a felony would deter abusers, preserve records for future oversight, and break cycles of violence that endanger communities.”

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