A new ordinance before Tuesday’s Springfield Committee of the Whole would enhance punishments for animal cruelty.
The a first offense for animal cruelty will now result in a $10,000 fine and $10,000 for each offense thereafter.
The tighter punishments were proposed in the wake of a recent high-profile case of extreme animal cruelty uncovered in the city’s north end.
In a symbolic gesture, all ten council members moved to be added to the ordinance as co-sponsors before placing the measure on next week’s consent agenda.
