Bark the Vote South Dakota is sponsored by the South Dakota Coalition for Companion Animals.

Often animal abuse is a sign of things to come. Watch this episode of the Dr. Phil Show "When Good Kids Go Bad" as they visit with the family of a 10 year old who has hurt or killed several animals.

Sometimes stories of horror end with happiness.

Azure - stabbed with a sword during domestic assault on her female owner, receives training and chance at adoption.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/center-221597-pet-rescue.html

Thankfully these stories are not from South Dakota. But it is an example of the reason we need a felony statute here, because what if it WAS in South Dakota? And we want to send a message to these kinds of people that they are not welcome here!

Wisconsin man assaults puppy with spoon, ruptures rectum, dog dies
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_14120208?nclick_check=1

Guns, drugs, and lighting dogs on fire... is this the kind of young men you want your community to protect?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-twins-animal-cruelty1218,0,868359.story

Man who punched dog to death goes to trial in Iowa.
http://www.ktiv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11697852

Flip dies for Football. Puppy who wouldn't "behave" before the game, kicked to death on a public street in front of witnesses. Makes you wonder what the assailant does when people can't see his actions!
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09327/1015750-100.stm

Mother turns yard into concentration camp for dogs, theft, torture, death, burial. And her seven children living in the home state "we go the end of it to".
http://wcbstv.com/local/pet.concentration.camp.2.1300163.html

Father Turns In Son After Finding Dead Dogs
http://www.kptv.com/news/21072630/detail.html

Watch the Video
http://www.kptv.com/video/21072467/index.html

Police Officer Sexually Assaults Cows, and Children
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20090924_Animal-cruelty_charges_dropped_against_Burlington_County_cop.html

Teen Arrested For Duct Taping Cat - 19 years old, he's old enough to know better, and old enough to vote. His decision making skills are pretty poor, do you want him owning a gun? A felony conviction would take that option away from him.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/pawprintpost/post/2009/09/teen-arrested-for-wrapping-cat-in-duct-tape/1

Dog Hung, then beat to death with cedar branch
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=101888&catid=2

It happens here to....

Timothy the Cat, glued to highway, later dies Reward offered for information leading to an arrest.
http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/79869307.html
http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/81112562.html

An incident of abuse against a valuable rodeo horse has been pending since July. Dually may still see justice, but is it appropriate justice? The alleged offender may face more jail time for the theft than the cruelty. He needs to be punished for taking someone's property, but shouldn't he also face punishment for recklessly harming a living thing? By all accounts he knew there was damage and torment and continued to ride. That kind of disregard, what else does it spill over in to his life?
http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail6162.cfm?Id=90656

The owner of this puppy in Mitchell allegedly drugged the dog with alcohol and narcotics before cutting it's ears off with a scissors. Again, this type of behavior includes layers of unacceptable behavior, more than a misdemeanor can cover.
https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=4&article_id=36789&CFID=111392263&CFTOKEN=35215666

The first step to changing state laws is making contact with your district representatives and senators. Visit the resources page to find links that will help you locate your district's legislators and their contact information. Write, call and email them, ask for their support. You live in South Dakota, you have the right to ask for their help making it a better place to live! Unsure of how to contact them, or what to say when you do? It's easier than you think!

Brainstorm, put together all your thoughts about the current law and how you'd like to see it changed. Highlight what you agree with. Make notes of what you'd like to improve on. Discuss your ideas in a group. Then make a concise statement to share with your Legislator.

Share your passion. Talk to friends, family, coworkers. See who you already know that is interested in the same issues as yourself. Ask for their help.
It's also important to network. Find other groups working for the same cause. Meet people who have lobbied before, or have helped pass other laws. Utilize all your resources to learn more about the legislative process.

Call! Write! Meet with your representatives. Plan events to share with the public. Contact the media and get the word out. During session, lobby and testify. Begin preparing now to speak in front of committee so your message is solid and you can be confident you'll be heard.

A great link going over all these steps in detail has been put together byConnecticut Alliance for Basic Human Needs  read Get Your Legislator to Listen and apply their tips to this issue.