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 (February 18, 2008)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt (801) 261-2919 phone
HB 470 HELD BY HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE,
HUMANE SOCIETY OF UTAH URGES QUICK PASSAGE TO FLOOR,
STILL OPPOSES SB 117
Today the Humane Society of Utah expressed its disappointment at the news that a motion to hold HB 470 was made and passed by the House Judiciary Committee in the Utah State Legislature. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Allen (R -Davis), offered what HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt calls "an ideal compromise" between the two animal bills that were introduced in the Senate. SB 102, which the Society strongly favored, was not even given a hearing, while SB 117 passed by a narrow vote of 15-14.
Rep. Allen’s bill was looked upon as being acceptable to both sides of either of the Senate bills, because it would make the deliberate torture of an animal a third-degree felony on the first offense if the crime were committed under the following circumstances:
if the torture occurs in the presence of a minor;
if the torture occurs in relation to domestic violence; or
if the torture is committed against a companion animal.
"HB 470 offered a great prosecutorial tool when egregious acts of animal cruelty are involved," says Mr. Baierschmidt. "It was especially worthwhile in that it specifically addressed the horrendous effects that such actions have on children, families, and other human relationships. Tolerance of the mindless torture of animals coarsens people’s attitudes toward all violent, destructive behavior."
The Humane Society is urging the community to continue to contact their Representatives. "HB 470 must be passed out of Committee and on to the House floor, and SB 117 must be stopped in the House," he says.
For more information on both bills, please call 261-2919.
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