What is Susie's Law?

Susie's Law, or House Bill 1609, reclassifies the "malicious abuse, torture or killing" of an animal as a Class H felony. That increases the penalties for animal cruelty to a maximum 10-month jail sentence.

The law is named after Susie, now a pit bull-shepherd mix. As a puppy, Susie was beaten, set on fire and left to die. Susie survived, was rescued and has been adopted. She lost her ears, though, and still bears scars. Lashawn Whitehead, 21, of Greensboro, was convicted of felony cruelty to animals and sentenced to probation.

Advocates of Susie's Law said they were outraged that state law allowed White to be sentenced only to probation.