Animal welfare laws on Guam could be in for a comprehensive revamp after a couple of high profile cases provoked public outrage.
A bill introduced in the Senate on Monday is seeking greater clarification for abuse standards, make prosecutions easier, and increase penalties for abusers.
There are exemptions for self-defence, hunting and cockfighting.
The bill is being called "Pugua's law," for a jack russell terrier dog that was found shot to death in a local carpark.