Should there be an "Irresponsible Pet Owner" law?

Question

Where if a pet owner is found to be irresponsible at taking care or maintaining a pet, he/she is then banned from owning any pets for a limit of 5 years and if found to be owning pets after being banned, he/she will face jail time and a fine. Instead of punishing the animals that are products of these irresponsible people, why not punish the people themselves.

Answer 1

Most states do have these laws.

My own state:

Section 13A-11-14
Cruelty to animals.
(a) A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if, except as otherwise authorized by law, he intentionally or recklessly:

(1) Subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment; or

(2) Subjects any animal in his custody to cruel neglect; or

(3) Kills or injures without good cause any animal belonging to another.

(b) Cruelty to animals is a Class B misdemeanor.

(Acts 1977, No. 607, p. 812, §5565.)

Answer 2

There are already laws outlawing cruelty to animals. In most states, as part of the sentence, one can be banned from owning animals for a period of time.

Answer 3

You can be charged with animal cruelty, neglect or abuse, but I don't know what the sentences tend to be. I agree they should be appropriately harsh.