Every year the Human Society of the United States releases its Humane State rankings based on a wide set of animal welfare policies.

The state that came in first place once again last year is California, thanks to legislation banning the captive breeding of orcas and a ban on the use of bull hooks on elephants.

But where does South Dakota rank on this list?  Well unfortunately, not very well. In fact, South Dakota came in tied at #48 with North Dakota.

That's the bad news. The good news is that South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a new  law back in 2014 making malicious acts of animal cruelty a felony offense - the 50th state to adopt such legislation. Coming in dead last was Mississippi.


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