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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (November 6, 2006)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 580-2544 - cell phone
MAN WHO PUT DOG IN OVEN SENTENCED TO JAIL TIME, FINED;
HUMANE SOCIETY STILL CALLS FOR ANIMAL-TORTURE FELONY LAW
"We’re pleased that Marc Vincent was sentenced to six months in jail, two years’ probation, and a $500 fine for what he did to Henry. At the same time, we still believe that a felony provision for intentionally torturing an animal would serve as a deterrent to having people even think about doing it. It would show that in Utah animal torture is treated as a serious crime." That was the reaction expressed by Gene Baierschmidt, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Utah, upon hearing the sentence passed by Judge William Barrett on Marc Vincent, the man who put his wife’s dog into a 200° oven for five minutes last May.
"There are already 41 states that have felony provisions in their animal cruelty statutes," said Mr. Baierschmidt. "Making intentional animal torture a third-degree felony would elevate the seriousness of the crime and help law enforcement more aggressively prosecute these cases."
Mr. Baierschmidt continued, "We’re gratified that Marc Vincent will be going to jail for what he did, and that he will also be receiving the psychological counseling he need. As far as the current law goes, Judge Barrett did the right thing. The law as it stands just doesn’t go far enough."
The Humane Society points out that a large body of carefully researched evidence proves a strong link between cruelty to animals and violence against other people. "In many cases involving animal torture, domestic violence or child abuse are also taking place," said Mr. Baierschmidt. "The Vincent case is a good example of that very scenario."
Under the current law a person convicted of intentional animal torture could receive a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail and up to a $2500 fine. Under the proposed new law, the offender could receive a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a $5000 fine. Mr. Baierschmidt observed that, because plea bargaining occurs in so many instances, stiffer punishments would give both prosecutors and judges the upper hand in dealing with torture cases.
The Humane Society is hoping that the outcome of the Marc Vincent case will serve as a catalyst for getting the 2007 Utah State Legislature to make animal torture a third-degree felony, as it already is in 41 other states.
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