Henry the Dog is like most loyal pets. You can abuse him or ignore him, but he keeps coming back. Now the tortured canine is coming back to the Utah Legislature as the "poster dog" for making cruelty to animals a felony in Utah.

The time has come. Not just because the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal has left a sour taste in the mouths of Americans, but because protecting living things that cannot protect themselves is morally responsible.

Right now, 43 states list animal cruelty as a felony. And those who feel this movement is just the "flavor of the month" should keep in mind that Massachusetts has made animal cruelty a felony since 1804, Oklahoma since 1887 and Rhode Island since 1896. To its credit, Utah does offer counseling for animal abusers. Now, while the Legislature is in special session, it's time to take the next step. And a first offense, not only the second or third, should be a felony. No one gets a freebie when it comes to abuse.

And, more and more, the arguments of the defenders of the status quo ring hollow.

Those who say there is no link between animal cruelty and cruelty to human beings should know that many serial killers in prison abused animals before turning to human beings.

Those who think prosecuting animal abuse cases as felonies will clog the courts should realize the justice system eventually will be dealing with animal abuses at some point. Dealing with them early may protect the public from more heinous crimes.

Those who think making animal abuse a felony makes animals equal with humans should realize the vast disparity between the punishment meted out for crimes against animals and crimes against humans.

Some also fear that people in rural counties might be prosecuted for overworking a sheepdog or castrating calves, but such behavior does not rise, in any sense, to the action of people who mistreat animals for their own twisted enjoyment or emotional release.

In short, Henry's back on the hill again. And he'll keep coming back until Utah gets it right.

Now's the time to get it right.