Landmark pet-abuse law hailed
The bill, which was officially signed last month, creates a first-offense felony penalty for the crime of torturing a dog or cat. Tuesday's event was ceremonial.
Huntsman lauded animal-rights activists for their determination and advocacy on behalf of the legislation.
"In the legislative process, sometimes issues percolate along and they get their proper level of recognition and then they die," Huntsman said. "In other cases, they percolate along, get their appropriate level of recognition, then people keep fighting for them until something gets done."
Huntsman also recognized the efforts of legislators who participated in getting the bill passed. Sen. Allen Christensen, R-Ogden, sponsored two of the four different bills that were proposed during the session aimed at changing the state's animal abuse code, including SB297.
"I think we found a decent compromise here that all sides are pleased with," Christensen said. "It's something we can all feel genuinely proud of."
Utah Humane Society director Gene Baierschmidt said he had given up hope on more than one occasion during the session, and is still celebrating the victory.
"Fortunately, we came away with a very good law," Baierschmidt said. "It really was a miracle."
Baierschmidt said changes provided by SB297 give Utah some of the strongest protection laws in the United States, and covers the vast majority of the torture cases that his agency sees. The credit, he says, really goes to the public.
"A lot of people have e-mailed and thanked us, but really, the public made this happen," Baierschmidt said. "Without the e-mails and letters they sent to legislators, we never would have gotten this passed."
The battle at the Capitol over changes to animal abuse laws began even before the session started, with a proposal drafted during the interim by Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake. Davis' bill was passed over by a committee and subsequent proposals by Christensen and Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, divided legislators on the issue. A compromise was struck off the floor in a negotiation brokered by House Speaker Rep. Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. The conference involved legislators and stakeholders on the issue as well as Huntsman, who took a facilitation role in the process. SB297 was the product of that gathering.
Huntsman paid tribute to his family's three dogs at the bill signing Eddie, the golden retriever, Winston, the bulldog and Abner, the spaniel. He also made his stance on the issue clear.
"I'm one who happens to think that as we treat our animals, so do we treat our fellow human beings," Huntsman said. "There's a connection there that I think is undeniable."
E-mail: araymond@desnews.com
Recent comments
Like so many other laws, this one is well-intentioned, but unwise....
Reason | April 10, 2008 at 2:20 p.m.
So if my dog bites the neighbors cat (who's not confined to it's own...
dbf | April 9, 2008 at 4:28 p.m.
Mahrshalalhashbaz,
Yes, actually. Animals are more important to me...
Catherine | April 9, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. greets a dog named Sadie, who was recently stabbed in the face. Huntsman and legislators helped enact a law to make Utah the 44th state to have a felony level animal protection law. A ceremonial signing of the bill was held at the Humane Society in Murray on Tuesday.
- 'Mates: Millsap deserves big payday 5:22 p.m.
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front 4:59 p.m.
- Questions about osteoarthritis 4:43 p.m.
- Logan canal breaks; people missing 3:58 p.m.
- Man's body found 3:47 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Many-splendored container garden 3:29 p.m.
- California's $26B deficit 3:25 p.m.
- Eat your squash and blossoms 3:21 p.m.
- Searchers shovel seeking giant worm 3:18 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- Logan canal breaks; people missing
- LDS seminary principal arrested
290 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
183 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
143 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
99 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
See ya later Paul. Have fun in Portland making way too much money.
wow! i cant believe this! he was a great man and no one expected this. he...
Just another example of the skewed world of professional sports...true...
wow!! he lied to so many!!!!!!
I forgot what I was going to say. Let's go ride bikes!
I have had it up to here......next time I am voting for Prop Hate!
Everyone here blames the victim over the teacher in these cases...regardless...
"friend says..." dang typos.
LDS institutions will not crack down more on this issue...they tend to...
In economic bad times if your neighbor is out of a job, it's a recession. If...

