Reader comments
2 sides win with animal-cruelty bill

I see passage of this bill in two ways: 1- Long overdue; 2- a baby step in the right direction. I am pleased beyond measure that Utah is finally beginning to step up with the issue of animal cruelty, but baffled as to why it doesn't include all animals-- hopefully we are headed in the right direction and it will be all-inclusive someday.

TORTURE, by definition, leaves no question as to its meaning. There is a huge difference in normal animal agricultural practices and TORTURE of an animal. The agricultural people need to relax and know that we don't think they are torturing animals and that they wouldn't 'mistakenly' be charged a felony for their normal agricultural practices.

A felony charge for animal turture is for those sick individuals who purposely inflict needless harm on animals by baking them alive them in ovens, lighting them on fire for the 'fun' of it, flinging them against a wall and breaking bones, and other such atrocities.

Why people can't understand those differences is mind-boggling to me. Raise your steer for beef like normal- fine and dandy. Shoot your steer with 20 arrows and watch it slowly suffer while you laugh- a felony.

What if it is the animal who does the attacking? Do you have a right to defend yourself or does the dog now have the upper paw on a human. I was just wondering? Is there a law that protects humans from animal attacks?-- Or is the POOCH now the big guy? I have been attacked by a furious dog several times in my life while taking a stroll in my neighborhood. Is this fair?

Although, I am a 100% against animal abuse. It should never happen and it makes me angry, and I believe people should go to jail for it. I love animals. I just don't like being attacked by them.

I agree with Catherine above 100% in all she said... excellent explanation of what torture of animals is and who it applies to. Also, I hope at some point soon (in the next few years) after the Governor signs this and it officially becomes law that ammendments are made to expand the felony charge to cover all animals (or as many more as possible) beyond just pet cats and dogs. I'm a bird owner and would like to see torture of pet birds a 3rd degree felony on the first charge as well.

Thank you very much to all the members of the Senate and House who voted in favor of passing this bill. Sen. Gene Davis, I wish your original bill had been the one to pass... but much thanks to you and your efforts and special thanks to Rep. Sheryl Allen for her efforts.

One question I'd like to have answered though is did Sen. Christensen (who divised this compromise bill) truly have a change of heart or did he simply cave in to pressure with his old thoughts and feelings on the matter still intact? He used to be the main person fighting against Henry's Law.

Regarding Animal Lover:

Well of course you can defend yourself if the animal does the attacking. These animal cruelty laws, like any other, take common sense into account. The animal cruelty laws are being so bent so out of shape from what their true intentions are. This is not putting animals "above the law," or "above human rights." It is merely giving animals much-needed, much-deserved protection from those people who intentionally and wrongfully ABUSE and TORTURE them -- harming the animal with malicious and evil intent.

There isn't a law in the land that would claim you were in the wrong by simply walking down the street and out of nowhere getting viciously attacked by a dog (or any other animal) and defending yourself. By all means, go for it. That isn't what these laws are about.

I also have been attacked by a dog and bitten. I had every right to defend myself. I was also told by animal control that I had the right to press charges if I desired to do so.

Animal cruelty laws don't give animals the upper hand- just protection from cruel people.

RE: Steve,
I am a bird (Parrot) owner as well. I agree with you that birds should be recognized, as they are extremely intelligent animals. Some are as smart as a 3 year old. I don't mean to sound prejudges, but our bird is MUCH smarter than our dog...lol!

RE:Thanks Catherine,
I agree with you completely.

what the heck lets send people to jail for hurting plants , fungi, and bacteria too.

Doug sounds like one of those people who like to hurt animals on a regular basis, why else the idiotic reference to plants, fungi, and bacteria.

Shame on our legislators. They have given in to a few extremists and opened a door that is going to lead to animals having more rights than we do. I am allowed by law to spank my own kids for misbehavior, but not my Lab for his misdeeds. (And yes I do love him dearly. A few "doggy spankings" have proved very effective. And no I am not a child abuser either.) Who is going to interpret what is cruelity or not. A felony is pretty serious business. It would change any one of our lives. Heck, I better start setting my dogs and cat a plate at the dinner table. It won't be long before it is considered cruel to have them eating off the floor.

Sounds like "disappointed" is one of those people who take this bill out of context for what it really is due to lack of education about it. Look up the word torture. Torture is pretty serious business.

I don't know why so many people, such as yourself, find it so hard to understand exactly what torture is and how it differs from neglect or your "doggy spanking". Then again, it depends on how you're spanking the dog... a light spank or repeated heavy blows (basically beating the dog). See Catherine's posts above for what exactly torture is.

As for spanking of any animal or even humans for punishment... it's not the best route to take. You have better success getting both animals and children to do as they should through possitive re-enforcement. Lay on the praise when they're doing what they should or performing a task the "proper" way.

With animals specifically (I speak from experience with birds and I'm sure it applies to dogs as well) if you yell and scream at them when they've been bad you're still "rewarding" the behavior and thus re-enforcing it. Animals often will do just about anything to get attention (be it possitive or negative) if they feel they're being ignored. By spanking your dog you may be causing it to fear you, not respect you and your wishes. It should do things out of respect not fear.

To Willow: Yea and how soon before some judge, cop, animal control officer or an over authorized Humane Society Officer also takes it out of context and some MINOR offender ends up with a felony rap?? Oh and does that mean I can't shoot all the stray cats wreaking havoc in my yard with my paintball gun anymore???

What is your definition of a "minor offender"? Do you mean someone under the age of 18 playing around or outright torturing an animal? Or do you mean "minor" as in a small or insigificant infraction of the law?

I see no reason why someone under the age of 18 shouldn't get a 3rd degree felony charge if they're indeed torturing an animal. "But it will follow them around for the rest of their lives" someone might say. Well so what? That's what you get if you do a crime. If you don't want a record, don't do something wrong... very simple.

I hope your stray cat comment was sarcasm and an attempt at humor... if not, the answer is no people can't shoot at cats with paintball guns or BB guns because they've wandered into your yard. If you want a cat out of your yard it's pretty easy, just clap your hands loudly and shout. Works every time for me, the cat instantly runs out of the yard and no harm has been done.

i think animal cruelty is a crime no matter what anyone says and i stand by this bill 150% besides if you have a pet you should want to love it and play with and all of that stuff because that is why we have pets is it not? if you have anger issues then you should go buy a punching bag and beat that because it doesn't have feelings like your pet or any pet for that matter, plus the punging bag makes you into a good fighter so there's a bonus. plus you won't get arrested for hitting the punching bag!

I have seen some horrendous things when rescueing a ferret. Hopefully the law will extend to them someday. I am sickened by our societies disregard for the very animals created by irresponsibility of our society. ENOUGH! Humans in large part are the least compassionate and loving creatures I have found on this earth. IT'S DISGUSTING people are doing our own creations. No, I do not breed animals, I rescue only, and I will continue to take responsibility for the ruthlessness of our society. We are few, but we are out here.