UPDATE: Wisconsin Senate signs off on stiffer animal abuse penalties

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Senate signed off on a bill Tuesday that would increase animal abuse penalties.

Right now the penalty for animal abuse is a $500 forfeiture. Abuse resulting in mutilation, disfigurement or death the maximum penalty is three-and-a-half years in prison.

Under the Republican-authored bill, animal abuse that results in death or grievous bodily harm, defined as fractured bones, deep cuts, burns, starvation or being left out in the cold, would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.

Someone who knows his or her actions may result in such injuries would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to three-and-a-half years in prison.

The bill would ensure that the new penalties wouldn’t apply to dogs injured while hunting or training to hunt if their owners get treatment for the injuries as soon as possible.

Wisconsin Ethics Commission records show the Humane Society of the United States has registered in opposition. That group has criticized the use of dogs to hunt wolves in Wisconsin, arguing the practice leads to bloody dog-wolf fights in the woods.

The powerful Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation both support the bill.

The Senate passed the bill on a voice vote. It goes next to the state Assembly.