Year-End Study Names 2009's "Five Best States to be an Animal Abuser"

By analyzing state statutes and tracking fourteen categories of provisions, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, and California ranked as the top five states for most comprehensive and stringent regional animal protection laws. The lowest-ranking states mentioned previous do not require owners to provide basic animal care, such as adequate food and water, nor do they require mental health evaluations for those convicted of animal abuse.

Three of the bottom five ranked states also do not consider cruelty, neglect or abandonment a felony. Four of the five only consider dog fighting a felony, though North Dakota does regard all animal fighting as such. Furthermore, in Kentucky, veterinarians are prohibited from reporting suspected animal cruelty or fighting as the result of a law regarding client confidentiality.