Ky. Senator working on bill based on animal control reporting, child abuse

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — One Kentucky Senator is working to pass a bill that would require animal control officers to notice and report signs of child abuse.

“Kyan’s Law is based off of animal control reporting and child abuse,” said Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Ky.).

Two things that Tichenor says are strongly related.

She cites the Dickerson Study.

“88% of people who are being investigated for child abuse and neglect have previously been involved with animal control,” she said.

If the bill passes, it would institute training for animal control officers starting in January 2025.

“…so that they can recognize child abuse and neglect and then report it to DCFS,” Tichenor added.

This law was named after Kyan Higgins who was allegedly killed by his mother in 2021.

Tichenor says animal control was called to their house 20 times before he died.

“It really just speaks to the need for this bill. Had an animal control officer noticed or been trained to notice that potential child abuse or neglect was happening in that home, we possibly could’ve prevented Kyan’s death,” she said.

Right now the bill has been assigned to Family and Children’s Committee and if it passes through the committee they will vote on the floor in the Senate. From there it will go over to the House and go through state process where it could become law in July.

“We all in every community should be aware and be paying attention to children who might be in a bad situation, and I think this bill will raise awareness for all our communities to pay attention,” Tichenor said.