With his pen, Gov. Phil Bryant has the power to help protect some of the state’s most defenseless creatures.

On Tuesday, leaders from the Mississippi House and Senate agreed on a bill that will strengthen the state’s weak dogfighting laws.

The new legislation, if signed by Bryant, would increase the maximum penalty first-time convictions to be up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The proposed law would also make penalties for subsequent offenses stiffer than current laws.

An alleged dogfighting ring discovered last year in the Cranfield community shined a spotlight on the state’s weak animal cruelty laws that investigators say encourages dogfighters from nearby states to locate in Mississippi.

We applaud the efforts of Sen. Bob Dearing and others who have shepherded the bill through the legislation process, which oftentimes is complicated and mystifying to those watching the political process from outside the halls of the state capitol.

Dearing has long been an advocate for the humane treatment of  all animals and has been a persistent sponsor for animal rights laws.

Could the legislation awaiting the governor’s signature be stiffer?

Definitely.

But as Dearing said Wednesday, the bill is “a good step forward.”

The animal protection agency, In Defense of Animals, agrees, welcoming the bill as a new deterrent of future animal cruelty crimes in the state.

Dearing said he hopes to revisit the issue soon to make the law even stronger.

Meanwhile, we encourage Bryant to pick up his pen without hesitation and sign into law this landmark legislation.