Edit: Going too slowly on animal abuse

We scratch our heads over why Idaho continues to take baby steps - rather than large leaps - to protect animals from torture and abuse. In 2012, lawmakers finally made it a felony to mistreat pets and livestock. At the time Idaho and the Dakotas were the only states that hadn’t passed such a law. In August, the much publicized and controversial ag-gag law outlawing undercover investigations of farming operations was finally struck down in federal district court. Now it’s 2016, and this legislative session reminds us our lawmakers are still much too hesitant to punish those who abuse animals/ Anthony Kuipers , Moscow-Pullman Daily News. More here .

Question: Why are legislators so timid when it comes to addressing animal abuse?