Jackson Jambalaya

Just a little quirk I discovered this morning in the Mississippi Code if such things can indeed be called quirks: 


Here is the penalty for animal cruelty:

Miss. Code Ann. § 97-41-16
(2) (a) If a person shall intentionally or with criminal negligence wound, deprive of adequate shelter, food or water, or carry or confine in a cruel manner, any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat. A person who is convicted of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00), or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.

Here is the penalty for beating your wife or kid:

Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-7
 (3) (a) A person is guilty of simple domestic violence who:..
(i) Attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another;
(ii) Negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon or other means likely to produce death or serious bodily harm; or
 (iii) Attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily harm when the offense is committed against a current or former spouse of the defendant or a child of that person, a person living as a spouse or who formerly lived as a spouse with the defendant or a child of that person, a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or someone similarly situated to the defendant, a person who has a current or former dating relationship with the defendant, or a person with whom the defendant has had a biological or legally adopted child.

  (b) Upon conviction, the defendant shall be punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($ 500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both,

Nice little quirk in the code.  Pay twice as much for beating your dog than beating your wife.  Talk about perverse incentives.  Does this mean Mississippi is Shariah compliant?