110 Iowa L. Rev. 1893 (2025)
Abstract
Animal welfare is an important issue that must be addressed for moral reasons and to further human interests. Animal cruelty in America is regulated primarily at the state level, and various state legislatures use different strategies to promote animal welfare. These methods include cross- and veterinary-reporting laws, animal abuser registries, and humane education programs, among others. Iowa’s current animal protections do not provide adequate defense for animals in Iowa. To promote effective animal welfare in Iowa, the State should implement methods used in other states. Specifically, Iowa can improve its animal cruelty protections by using animal abuser registries, creating reporting laws, improving its current provisions under chapter 717B, and mandating humane education.