ARIZONA, USA — Editor's note: The above video is of former record-holding speedskater Bridie Farrell discussing another new law that addresses childhood sexual abuse.
Those accused of animal abuse could now face harsher penalties in Arizona after a new law took effect Tuesday.
The law states "cruel mistreatment or killing" of a domestic animal can be a class 5 felony. A class 5 felony in Arizona is punishable by more than a year behind bars.
"Cruel mistreatment" is defined under Arizona state law as "torturing or inflicting unnecessary serious physical injury on an animal."
According to lawmakers, animal cruelty was previously a class 1 misdemeanor or class 6 felony.
Governor Doug Ducey signed HB2671 into law in May. He said at the time this legislation would strengthen punishments for animal abusers.
"Animal cruelty is despicable — and Arizona will not tolerate it," Ducey wrote in a Facebook post.