Animal advocates hope cruelty cases prompt action

Advocates are hopeful public outcry over scalded kittens and an oven-burnt dog will motivate state lawmakers to pass legislation elevating egregious animal torture to a third-degree felony.

As it stands, Utah is one of nine states across the country that has failed to increase the penalty for torturing an animal to a felony — and one of only two Western states that doesn't have the provision on its books.

For Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, it hasn't been for lack of trying.

He's run bills the past two sessions and encountered opposition — especially from his rural colleagues — over concerns that his "animal rights" bill will criminalize the acceptable husbandry practices of farmers, ranchers, zookeepers and rodeo promoters.

"It scares people. People who are involved in agriculture are easily scared about anything that sounds like animal rights," Wyatt said. "This isn't about animal rights — far from it. I've had people tell me they thought the bill was crazy, and it was obvious they didn't understand the bill."

Rather, Wyatt said his legislation strengthens the protections for farmers, hunters and other traditional husbandry practices but increases the penalty for animal cruelty if it is torture.

"The intent on my part has been to protect people more than animals.This is a people bill. ... The reason to enhance the penalty for someone who goes about the pretty serious torture of an animal is because that person needs some help. We ought to be able to approach abuse as abuse."

The push to increase the penalty comes amid publicity surrounding two recent cases officials say are particularly egregious — that of Henry the dog, who was put in a 200-degree oven, and that of more than a half dozen kittens that either suffered broken legs, broken tails or were scalded, possibly by hot water or a chemical.

Marc Vincent was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor, and is due to be sentenced Nov. 6 in connection with Henry's case. The offense is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, while felonies can result in longer incarceration to prison and tougher probation.

Clint L. Wilkes is to be in Salt Lake County's Justice Court today for arraignment on two class B misdemeanors of animal cruelty and one class B misdemeanor of animal abandonment in connection with the abuse of the kittens.