House OKs increasing penalties for animal cruelty

A bill increasing penalties for animal cruelty was amended Thursday in the House and passed to the Senate, but not before a lawmaker voiced concern he'd be prosecuted for inadvertently killing cats in skunk traps.

HB242, sponsored by Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, would boost animal torture from a Class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. The bill was amended after Wyatt met with farming, ranching, hunting and zoo interests. Now, it exempts accredited zoos following accepted practices and takes out increased penalties if animal cruelty is committed in front of a child.

"To recognize torture for what it is, we have found ways to strengthen and protect agricultural interests, rodeo interests, zoo interests . . . and reached what I think is a pretty good consensus effort."

Bill supporters noted serial killers' crimes often started with torturing animals.

"We need to take this seriously," said Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful.

But opponents feared enforcement could get out of hand.

Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, said he sets bear claw traps to keep skunks out of his corn patch. He inadvertently has caught three cats, which probably "lived an hour or so before they died."

"I'm trying to find some protection in there for me when I set those traps and get those cats," Donnelson said. "I don't want to lose my concealed (weapons) carry permit because I caught a cat."