Stricter laws and punishment for animal abuse offenders

As we are now into a new decade, it is more evident then ever that most families across the U.S. have some very special furry friends that are as much like family members as children. Unfortunately, not all animals get the chance to live in loving homes that care for them properly and treat them humanely. Most laws surrounding animal cruelty across the U.S. are not strict enough on animal abuse offenders. They can use get a hefty fine and a slap on the wrist. The punishment for breaking these laws should be harsher for people who break them because jail time is rarely served. It's time to make our laws and punishments for animal cruelty tougher and tighter and treat animal cruelty cases more like cases of child and domestic abuse.