Kruzan awarded by MCHA for animal rights support

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan will be honored as an outstanding public servant by the Monroe County Humane Association at its Barkway benefit auction and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Bloomington Convention Center.

“Mayor Kruzan has been a long-time animal activist. He’s always been actively involved with the humane association for as long as I can remember,” CEO of MCHA Sarah Hayes said.

Hayes said Kruzan is the reason animal abuse is a class D felony in Indiana.

Because of a bill he sponsored when he was a member of the State House of Representatives, the felony classification was made possible, she said.

“Animal welfare was one of my leading issues to work on when I served in the state legislature, and I authored some cruelty to animal prevention statutes and other animal welfare laws,” Kruzan said.

Kruzan will be recognized alongside other local individuals and organizations for their support of MCHA and their dedication to animal rights in Monroe County.

“It’s important to recognize those people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty,” Hayes said. “It helps also tell the story of animal rights activists.”

Kruzan has promoted pet adoption in addition to the animal abuse prevention bills he passed through the Indiana General Assembly.

“He truly believes in the cause, and that’s hard to come by,” Hayes said.