From Deseret News archives:
Special 'Henry' session sought
The group, formed last fall, established a Web site called helpushelpthem.org to garner public support for the movement. Although animal advocates have pushed for years for legislation increasing the penalty for certain acts of animal cruelty, it gathered steam last fall because of Henry.
The small mixed-breed dog was placed in a 200-degree oven for five minutes by the now ex-husband of Rhonda Kamper. Henry, who suffered burns, also lost his eye after an attack with a leaf blower.
Proponents want Utah lawmakers to make certain cases of egregious animal cruelty — such as a torture — a third-degree felony, arguing that animal abuse may lead to abuse of people in the future.
Studies have been done supporting that contention, including research by a Utah State University professor. Frank Ascione published one study that showed that 71 percent of women in a Utah shelter for domestic violence victims said their partner had threatened or hurt the woman's pet.
Henry's abuser was charged with a Class A misdemeanor and served a little more than four months in jail.
Kamper said her ex-husband — as their marriage began to deteriorate — became increasingly jealous of the dog and at one point accused her of loving the animal more than him.
The oven incident prompted her to leave him, seek a divorce and gain a protective order.
Kamper and her supporters argue a felony provision would allow a judge the discretion to impose tougher sanctions, including possibly prison and stiffer fines. It would also act as a deterrent and impose prohibitions on owning firearms. Utah is one of nine states in the country that lacks such a provision.
Critics, particularly lawmakers, worry that elevating animal cruelty to a felony could be misapplied to include accepted animal husbandry practices, activities that go on zoos, veterinarians' offices and interactions among hunters and game.
Supporters say such exemptions were included in the failed measure.
On Monday, another Salt Lake County man is scheduled to be in court on misdemeanor allegations he abused kittens to gain the attention of his girlfriend. Several kittens were injured, including some who had tails scalded or broken.
E-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com
