NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Nashville Metro Council will vote Thursday on whether to support heightening punishments for animal cruelty in Tennessee.

The council will review a resolution that would formally ask the Tennessee General Assembly to support a bill increasing criminal penalties for criminals convicted of animal cruelty.

The document cites Tennessee Bureau of Investigation data saying that animal cruelty cases increased by nearly 40% from 2020 to 2022.

“Law enforcement, social service agencies, and victim-advocacy organizations recognize animal abuse as an early warning sign of escalating violence toward partners and children,” the resolution said in part.

The council will vote Thursday evening on the resolution to support House Bill 1444.

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