Reader comments
Compromise animal cruelty bill passes committee

So if I try to save my child from being eaten by a rottweiler or from being scratched to death by a stupid cat I will go to jail for it for trying to protect and save my child. Equal rights no longer exist. I can see now why Huntsman supports the liberal McCain for president after signing this.

No, the bill will protect animals from wrongful endangerenment. If someone's child is being attacked by an animal, and someone tries to save the child, that person will not be prosocuted. People will only be charged if they wrongfully hurt an animal..as in if they shot their neighbor's dog because it was crying outside. Or if someone was torturing a cat because it stepped onto their lawn. I believe this is a great bill!

nice to be utterly ridiculous, anon 2:29-- did you even read the bills? or the article for that matter?

To Annoymous, While I have no love for special intrest groups this bill does not say you cannot protect your self or others from a dangerous animal, but putting a cat into the bag and beating it with a stick would be a felony now, quit trying to sensationalize things people, and realize this life is give and take and not all about you.

This law, if it passes is better than no law. It is a leap forward in the humane treatment of animals in Utah. If a person gains enjoyment from causing an animal to suffer, then what does this say about this person's entertainment values. A dog or cat, pet rabbit, horse and even a pet snake, are not throw away objects, like trash. They are living, breathing reminders of accountability each of us have for life.

i dont know where i stand anymore with this topic. its interesting

I believe this bill was necessary to protect the pets that people who live in the city own and enjoy. That being said, there also needs to be some understanding about animals that become a nuisance to neighbors. As a farmer, I need to protect my income producing animals from predators, which in some cases are actually pets or animals belonging to neighbors. Sometimes city dwellers dump their trouble causing pets into agriculture areas. There ex-pets very quickly become a serious problem. I am very gentle and compassionate with all animals, but lets be reasonable. I can not allow neighbors uncontrolled pets to harass and threaten my family or animals. I therefore will use what ever action that is necessary to deal with a problem animal. I am concerned that someone might view my action as cruelty or even torture.