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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (February 23, 2007)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919 - phone

SB 190, FELONY-LEVEL ANIMAL TORTURE BILL, PASSES 3RD READING IN UTAH SENATE

In a move lauded by many, the Utah State Senate today passed by a vote of 18-9 SB 190, a bill making the intentional torture of an animal, like the recent case of Henry, the dog who was put into a hot oven for five minutes, a third-degree felony. The legislation will now go to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Officials of the Humane Society of Utah were particularly pleased with the Senate’s action, pointing out the benefits to all levels of society inherent in the bill. "There is an overwhelming body of scientific evidence linking the torture of animals to violence against other human beings," says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "The statistics speak for themselves. Almost half of U.S. prison inmates convicted of rape and sexual homicide reported histories of animal abuse, and an almost unbelievable 89% of serial murderers repeated that pattern. An equally high percentage of animal abuse occurred in homes where child abuse also took place."

Mr. Baierschmidt further expressed satisfaction that the state’s legislators now understand that fears about individual rights that have previously hampered passage of this legislation are completely without foundation. "The bill does NOT place penalties on animal torturers that are equivalent to those imposed on people who abuse other people. It does NOT limit any activities traditionally associated with people’s lifestyles or livelihood, like ranching or rodeo. It does NOT apply to minor offenses or unintentional minor acts like forgetting to feed a pet for a day. And it does NOT establish any unusual or unprecedented standard. Forty-two other states and the District of Columbia already have felony provisions in their animal-cruelty statutes."

He additionally pointed out that pet animals are an integral part of more and more people’s families. "Dogs and cats enrich our lives by providing unconditional love, stability, and loyalty," he said. "It is only right that we should protect them from mindless torture."

The Society urges the community to contact their representatives and urge passage of the bill in the House. "It’s time for this law to happen," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "In fact, it’s way PAST time. A lot of Utahans are hoping that 2007 will be the year that we finally catch up with the rest of the nation.

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