From Deseret News archives:
No deal yet on animal-cruelty bill
Legislators vote to house more inmates
Legislators also voted to authorize the state to place more inmates in the Garfield County Jail, a decision that will allow county officials to move forward with plans to enlarge the jail.
Two bills on animal cruelty were introduced in the state Senate at the start of the daylong special session, and both were quickly sent to a committee for further study during the next general session.
Throughout the day, negotiations were under way behind the scenes to reach a compromise. Although Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said lawmakers came "very close to an agreement," there was no deal before lawmakers adjourned.
Senators already had passed a version of one of the bills that was on Wednesday's agenda. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, would have made animal torture a third-degree felony. But the House did not get to the bill before the end of the 2007 Legislature.
A second bill, introduced by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, would have made animal cruelty a felony only on the second offense. Christensen said he was concerned about destroying the life of someone "who does a one-time stupid thing."
Davis and Christensen joined Valentine at a last-minute news conference early Wednesday evening to announce that a compromise was still being sought. But neither side could say for certain what the compromise would be.
One option still under consideration is allowing the option of charging someone with a felony on a first offense, depending on the severity of the crime. Davis said lawmakers will meet privately to work out the details before involving animal-rights advocates and the public.
Not all of supporters of Davis' bill dubbed "Henry's Law" after the small dog who survived being baked in an oven and assaulted with a leaf blower were willing to compromise. Neither the Humane Society of Utah nor Henry's owner, Rhonda Kamper, appeared at the news conference.
Earlier in the day, Humane Society leaders and Kamper had said they were disappointed that no animal-cruelty bills passed and said they would be back in January to fight for a measure making animal cruelty a first-offense felony.
"I thought I had a chance today, but they shot me down," Kamper said. She, along with her dog and a few dozen other supporters of the bill, held a rally at the State Capitol before the special session started.
Comments
- Obama urges major new stimulus 2:34 p.m.
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day 2:22 p.m.
- Market drops as dollar strengthens 2:12 p.m.
- Peter Gammons leaving ESPN 2:09 p.m.
- Uganda mulls death penalty for gays 1:58 p.m.
- Woods' mother-in-law released 1:52 p.m.
- Iraq sets parliamentary elections 1:51 p.m.
- New policies on water at schools 1:38 p.m.
- Five players miss Jazz practice 1:37 p.m.
- McChrystal supports new strategy 1:33 p.m.
- BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Yet again, we learn BCS is a big joke
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs
- Cougars in better mood about bowl
- $2M error could mean layoffs
- Ranking the bowl games
- Storm pounds Utah for 2nd day
- BYU eager for crack at Oregon State
- Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
270 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
203 - Letters: Global warming a lie
191 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
140 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
130 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
101 - Harpring's NBA career is over
98 - Store planning for Palin crush
84
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
Red Shirt, Your response at 12:15 p.m. is exactly why we should be scared to...
Yes, let's google Kurt Bestor and get totally accurate information on his...
What Anderson did was wrong. Yes, he lied, and should be held accountable....
I hope they go against the Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists now too.
I wonder if our beloved Pres. Obama will tell the Iranian students (as he...
This is hard to understand, that JW's are hard working, tax paying, community...
Sorry to say this BUT guess what?. We were BORN into this world,...
To "thanks redshirt | 12:31 p.m. " what conspiricay have I touted?
Abortion can legally only be performed by a physician. To seek the assistance...
BCS - how do we deal with these BCS buster teams? Just let them play each...



You can be the first to comment on this story.