THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH
4242 SOUTH 300 WEST
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107-1415
(801) 261-2919 phone • (801) 261-9577 fax
www.utahhumane.org
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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE:
Immediately (January 18, 2008)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919 phone
HUMANE SOCIETY GEARING UP TO GET FELONY-LEVEL
ANIMAL TORTURE BILL PASSED IN 2008
As the 2008 session of the Utah State Legislature convenes, the Humane Society of Utah is telling the public, "If you’re tired of hearing stories like the one about Henry, the little Chihuahua-mix dog who was blinded in one eye and cooked in a hot oven, or Crookneck the horse, who was shot 50 times in the back and belly and left to die a slow, agonizing death — and if you’re tired of knowing that these actions are only considered misdemeanors in Utah while 43 other states classify such crimes as felonies — you can get involved in changing things."
Once again, the Humane Society will attempt to get legislation passed that would make the deliberate torture of an animal a third-degree felony, as it already is in 43 other states. Current state law classifies such acts as only a Class A misdemeanor, and we are ranked nationally among the five states having the weakest animal-protection laws.
An independent statewide poll last year determined that 74% of Utahns want to see tougher penalties for acts of egregious torture of animals. Past efforts by the Humane Society to pass the so-called "Henry’s Law" have been siderailed by a small minority of rural legislators.
"There’s simply no justification for opposing this bill," says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "We want Utah to beome the 44th state to have a felony provision in its animal code. We know that the majority of people in this state want to see that happen, and the Society has set up a section on its website, www.utahhumane.org,that will make it very easy for citizens to contact their lawmakers to let them know that they want to see SB 102 passed in this year’s legislative session."
The Humane Society has pledged to continue its efforts to have intentional animal torture made a third-degree felony no matter how long it takes, according to Mr. Baierschmidt. "We’re hoping that 2008 will be the year when Utah finally catches up to the rest of the nation."
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