Government : Coalition of Iowa Organizations Unite to Support Felony Animal Cruelty Bill

A diverse coalition of Iowa organizations has formally registered in strong support of Senate File 2099 (SF2099), legislation that would make intentional animal torture a Class “D” felony on the first offense. With the 2026 Iowa legislative session scheduled to adjourn on April 21, supporters are urging Senate leadership to bring the bill to the floor for a final vote without delay.

SF2099 has already advanced with strong bipartisan backing. It passed the Iowa House of Representatives unanimously and moved forward unanimously through a Senate subcommittee and the full Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill now sits on the unfinished business calendar.

“Iowa stands alone as the only state in the nation that does not treat animal torture as a first-offense felony,” said Preston Moore, Iowa State Director for Humane World for Animals. “This bill is a common-sense step forward that closes a glaring gap in our laws. It has overwhelming support across the state, and with just days left in the session, we call on the Iowa Senate to pass SF2099 without delay so it can reach the Governor’s desk.”

The following organizations have formally registered their support for SF2099:

• Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa
• Iowa Police Chief Association (FKA Iowa Police Executive Forum)
• Iowa Fraternal Order of Police
• Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association
• Animal Legal Defense Fund
• Iowa Organization for Victim Assistance
• Soaring Hearts
• Iowa Veterinary Medical Association
• Animal Rescue League Iowa, Inc.
• Humane World for Animals
  
  

Importantly, no organizations or lobbyists — including those representing Iowa’s agriculture industry — are registered in opposition to SF2099. This lack of opposition, combined with the broad coalition of support, demonstrates strong consensus that stronger penalties for intentional animal cruelty are long overdue.

By upgrading first-offense animal torture to a Class “D” felony (punishable by up to five years in prison), SF2099 would give prosecutors the tools they need to hold offenders accountable and better protect animals across Iowa.

With the legislative session ending in just 11 days, the coalition urges the Iowa Senate to prioritize and pass SF2099 immediately.