News
Utah Animal Cruelty Bills HB470 and SB117 Updates
February 25, 2008, 9:53AM MT
By Debbie Swider
HB470 and SB297 are weaker than hoped, but are a step in the right direction.
HB470 and SB297 are weaker than hoped, but are a step in the right direction.
During the closing days of last week Utah legislators were working hard to come up with a compromise in the various proposed amendments which could pass this year. HB470 proposed by Rep. Sheryl Allen, which at first looked like a compromise which could work, had run into objections in committee principally from the Utah Farm Bureau. So back to the drawing board, some further weakening of the circumstances in which torture would be a felony, and they came up with something which took care of the problems. The bill passed the House Judiciary Committee at the end of the week, and now goes to the House floor for a vote.
Like all compromises everyone got something, but no one got everything they wanted. And that includes the animals. The bills now says that torture of dogs and cats is a felony on first offense, but not for any other animals. Torture horses, birds or a pet bunny and it's still only a misdemeanor.
Like most animal welfare advocates we feel the felony punishments should be applied to other animals as well as dogs and cats, but at least this bill will move one step in the right direction.
Sen. Christiansen's bill SB117 is still alive in the House awaiting
Committee hearing and possible floor debate. If anything it is weaker than HB470, and it will be up to the legislators to decide between them. Sen. Christiansen has also introduced a new bill in the Senate, SB297 which is the same as HB470, which will be heard in committee this morning.
Many thanks for the support which many of you have given to this process in the interests of helping the animals. Your phone calls and emails have made a difference. Legislators are well aware of the strong public feelings that have been expressed about this issue, and want to achieve some resolution this year.
You can keep informed of what happens with these bills, and even listen to the debates, by going to www.le.state.ut.us.
Written by Gregory Castle
Posted by Debbie Swider
Photo by Best Friends Photographer