Mississippi lawmakers fail to pass ‘Buddy’s Law’ - FOX13 Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Eleven months ago, a dog we have come to know as “Buddy” was doused in gasoline and later set on fire.

Animal rescue groups called it one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they have ever seen.

But investigators said the 12-year-old responsible for setting the dog on fire faced no charges because of the child’s age.

FOX13 later found out that a bill proposed requiring counseling for juveniles who commit such heinous acts in Mississippi has been repealed.

People who live out where Buddy was found told FOX13 they don’t understand why the state legislature wouldn’t pass Buddy’s law.

“Oh, it’s stupid, you know. I heard they had tried to pass it, but it got clogged up in that beaur... bureaucracy, or whatever you call it,” John Woods said.

Woods said something needs to change. “They need to have mental counseling to see why they would do something like that.”

In Buddy’s case, investigators told FOX13 the 12-year-old couldn’t be charged because of his age, but his parents did get him counseling.

Penny Pearson said she walked this county road with Buddy the dog all the time.

Pearson thinks counseling should be automatic in cases like these.

“They should pass it because they need help. If he is going to do that to an animal, what would he do to a person is the way I see it,” Pearson said.

Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive alerts from breaking news in your neighborhood.

Trending stories:

©2022 Cox Media Group

source: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/mississippi-lawmakers-fail-pass-buddys-law/V2LAXSKTSRFMDA7VIE6ID6Q74E/

Your content is great. However, if any of the content contained herein violates any rights of yours, including those of copyright, please contact us immediately by e-mail at media[@]kissrpr.com.