A lawmaker from De Pere is expressing relief that a new law will make it a felony to sexually abuse an animal.
Republican Sen. Andre Jacque worked on the bill for years, and Governor Evers signed it yesterday. He says the wait was very frustrating for law enforcement, because there were situations where having a tougher penalty would’ve fit a crime better.
Convicted animal abusers would also have to register as a sex offender.
Jacque started pushing for the change because of a northeast Wisconsin man convicted several times over the years for molesting horses. Prosecutors could only charge Sterling Rachwal with a misdemeanor.
Jacque says the change isn’t only about one person, because it’s been shown that people who sexually abuse animals might also be abusing people.
