A bill that would enhance the punishment for persons found guilty of animal cruelty is being consider by Tennessee lawmakers. If passed, HB 0852/ SB 1277 says a person charged the second time (or any subsequent time) of animal cruelty involving five or more animals would be subject to a Class C felony charge. The charge would create a mandatory minimum of 180 days in jail which the offender would have to serve in its entirety. The first charge of animal cruelty is currently a Class E felony.