A Massachusetts bill requiring veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty to local law enforcement has been passed by that state's legislature.

The "Protecting Animal Welfare and Safety (PAWS) Act" requires veterinarians working in that state to notify local law enforcement authorities if they suspect that an animal is being maltreated. Any veterinarian who fails to report suspected animal cruelty will be reported to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine.

Michael E. Smith, legislative director for bill sponsor Massachusetts State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, said, like previous legislation, the bill protects veterinarians who report suspected animal cruelty from criminal or civil prosecution.

Susan Curtis, executive director of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, said her organization, along with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Massachusetts Animal Rescue League, have been involved with the bill since it was initially introduced in October 2013