Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Whit Johnson ReportingA Utah bill to make animal cruelty a felony is once again becoming a hot topic for discussion. The bill failed to become law last year and the year before.
It's more concern than opposition. You're probably not going to find a state politician who supports the torture of cute little house pets, but there's a fear new laws regarding animal cruelty could have an effect on agriculture.
They are companions, family and even food -- for many of us animals are part of everyday life.
Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society of Utah: "It's a crime of deprivation and it makes you feel really sick to your stomach."
Animal Cruelty is back in the news. Recently a high school prank led to the shooting and hanging of a farm animal. Last month a Murray man pleaded guilty to putting his wife's dog in the oven.
Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society of Utah: "We just believe that, you know, we need this law. There's a strong body of evidence that shows that there's a link between animal cruelty and violence towards people."
The last two years a bill that would have made animal cruelty a third degree felony passed the state house but failed to make it through the state senate.
Todd Bingham, Utah Farm Bureau Federation: "We're simply concerned that whatever we do that we don't open the door to taking away from animal operations, their ability to manage their animals, do those things that have been commonly accepted for 100 150 years."
Supporters say the language in the bill clearly states the farming community has no need to worry. 41 other states have similar laws making animal cruelty a felony.
Gene Baierschmidt, Humane Society of Utah: "There's exemptions for animals used in agriculture or the rodeo, in accordance with accepted husbandry practices."
Todd Bingham, Utah Farm Bureau Federation: "What is commonly accepted on a farm as practices with animals is not potentially understood by the general public who has grown up in an urban setting."
This time around supporters will try to pass the bill through the state senate first. They have some time to figure it out; the next legislative session is still a few months away.
