Oregon is being ranked in the top five for laws aimed at protecting animals. 

Laura Dunn did the ranking for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. "We use 15 distinct categories to rank each state's animal protection laws."

One Oregon law the fund likes..."if a veterinarian comes into their office and they suspect the animal has been abused then they are required to report that abuse."

But, Dunn adds, Oregon could do more..."having a penalty for abandonment of neglect is one way Oregon could improve its laws."

The other top states, in order, are Illinois, Maine, California and Michigan.  Washington is sixth.

Oregon did slip from number four in 2011 to number five this year because of new laws passed by California.