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 25, 2008)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt (801) 261-2919 phone
UTAH COULD HAVE LANDMARK LEGISLATION FOR CATS AND DOGS
Today SB 279, a bill sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, was introduced in the Senate Human Resources Committee and passed unanimously from there to the Senate floor. The Humane Society of Utah and other animal-advocacy groups throughout the state expressed deep gratification at this action, since this bill is almost identical to Rep. Sheryl Allen’s HB 470 in that it would make the deliberate torture of a cat or dog a third-degree felony on the first offense, and also keeps the existing animal-cruelty codes intact. Furthermore, SB 117 — a bill also sponsored by Sen. Christensen, and one which was vigorously opposed by humane groups — is no longer being pursued in the Senate.
Humane Society of Utah Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt said, "This is a terrific step forward. If either SB 279 or HB 470 is passed into law, Utah will become the 44th state in America to have a felony-level animal-cruelty provision on its books. Assuming that one of these bills passes, it will be nothing less than a piece of landmark legislation."
The Humane Society encourages members of the public to continue contacting their legislators to encourage their support of these bills. For more information, please call 261-2919.
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