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Utah Passes Anti-Torture Bill

March 04, 2008, 6:34 MT

By Denise A LeBeau

State puts animal torture as felony on the books

State puts animal torture as felony on the books

Breaking news from Gregory Castle, Best Friends Founder and animal activist, “The Utah House just passed S.B. 297, Sen. Christiansen's version of the torture bill, by a vote of 62 to 6 (7 abstensions)!”

The Humane Society of Utah has rejoiced in the fact that if you torture an animal in the state, it’s a felony on the first offense!

Click here to see the bill in its entirety.

S.B. 297 covers only domestic dogs and cats but this is a marked improvement over the weaker penalties associated with a misdemeanor offense.

Best Friends Animal Society is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support to help strengthen the animal cruelty laws in Utah. There were many animal advocacy organizations that wanted desperately to see Utah out of the top 5 states to be an animal abuser according to the Animal Legal Defense Fund! The time for our elected officials to realize that animals are important to their constituents is upon us; it’s thanks to every single person that signed a petition, wrote their Senator and/or Representative and helped spread the word to help make the change!

posted by Denise LeBeau, Best Friends Network
photo by Clay Myers, Best Friends photographer

Comments

Posted March 05, 2008, 12:2AM by jennifer

There are no words to express how happy I am about this!

Posted March 05, 2008, 11:39AM by nutmegger

It's about time! HOORAY!!!

Posted March 05, 2008, 11:41AM by marys

Yeah!! Yeah!! Horray!! Made my day!

Posted March 05, 2008, 11:28AM by edward

One more step on the road to a civilized society! Great job everyone!

Posted March 05, 2008, 11:44 by PaigeDanielle

That is wonderful. How do we get one passed in California? Or is there one already?

Posted March 05, 2008, 5:51 by ewells12

I am so pleased to hear this. I went to the House Committee meeting held a couple of weeks ago and was appalled at many of the objections raised to the well-thought out bill proposed by Sen. Allen. However, I am thrilled that they were able to come to a compromise and not let the issue die, as it did last year.

Posted March 05, 2008, 12:16AM by Bernadette

I'm so glad!

Posted March 05, 2008, 2:31 by marla

Fantastic!!!!!!

Congradulations