Animal Torture Now A Third Degree Felony

Mar 05, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Torturing a dog or cat will now cost violators up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Representative John Mathis of Uintah County, a veterinarian by profession, says passage of the bill was a long time coming.

"It's a hammer that hopefully people will look at say 'let's not do it,'" says Mathis. "And it's also a statement by [lawmakers] that we're not going to tolerate [torture] being done."

Lawmakers have toiled over the issue of animal cruelty for several years. Animal welfare groups have been adamant about making torture of animals a felony on the first offense. That had farmers and ranchers worried that livestock would be included in a measure. However, Senate Bill 297 is a compromise that Senator Allen Christensen, the bill's sponsor, hopes will make both sides happy.

"Am I absolutely happy? No. I'm one of the compromisers and I've given ground," says Christensen. "It's done. We're happy. Hopefully all sides can appreciate what the other sides have gone through and given up to reach this compromise."

The measure makes torture of a companion animal, a domestic dog or cat, a third degree felony on the first offense. It also provides protections for keepers of livestock. SB 297 passed the House with a 62-6 vote and is now on its way to the Governor.

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