Two Michigan laws taking effect this month will steepen penalties for animal abuse in the state after lawmakers said existing penalties were insufficient.

The Associated Press reports that a law that takes effect in March will more than double the penalty for animal abuse in the state from a maximum of four years to a maximum of 10 years in prison.

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A second law hitting the books this month allows judges to sentence those convicted of emotional abuse of another person by harming or killing an animal to up to 10 years in jail.

"The current laws are not sufficient enough to protect animals and hold offenders responsible for their conduct," Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy told the AP. "This is certainly a positive step forward."

An analysis of animal abuse convictions in Michigan by the state's Senate Fiscal Agency found that abusers rarely face long prison sentences in the state under the laws previously on the books, according to the AP. Out of 40 violations in 2016, just five went to jail and no prison sentences were issued, according to the news service.

One woman who was convicted by the state of killing as many as seven of her ex-boyfriend's animals in an act of revenge was sentenced to just two months in jail with three years of probation, the AP reports.

The laws, which passed the state House and Senate last year, were signed into law by former Gov. Rick Snyder (R) before ending his second term and being succeeded by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) in January.