Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signs animal cruelty bill into law - WNDU

Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google INDIANAPOLIS (WNDU) - Gov. Mike Braun signed a bill into law that increases punishment for those convicted of animal cruelty in Indiana. According to our sister station WFIE , some acts of animal cruelty committed by first-time offenders can be charged as a misdemeanor under current law. Once the new law takes effect, certain acts of animal cruelty will be considered felonies regardless of whether it is a first offense. The law also allows Hoosiers to free an animal from a hot car without liability. Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers said the previous penalties were not sufficient for the crimes being committed. “These crimes against animals were horrific, and we were treating it with a misdemeanor which was not sufficient,” Moers said. “Like I said, the hoarding cases have almost a hundred percent recidivism rate. And there’s study after study that shows how you treat animals is how you’re gonna treat humans.” The law goes into effect July 1. Copyright 2026 WNDU. All rights reserved.