We wanted to let you know why we oppose SB 297 and want to encourage everyone to contact their House Rep and ask them to amend the bill. We cover the three things we'd like to have amended before we will support the bill. The good thing about SB 297 is the fact that it is has a first offense felony option in the bill.
1. Torture is defined as: Intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner.
We believe that it is a pretty high standard and it would be hard to meet.
We would feel more comfortable if the definition was amended with SB 102's (Henry's Bill) definition of torture.
2. A companion animal is defined as an animal that is a domestic dog or a domestic cat.
We would like to see that amended to include any domestic animal in the home such as: rabbit, ferret, etc. Also, ask them to protect stray cats and dogs as well.
3. Aggravated cruelty to an animal is only a class B misdemeanor and cannot be enhanced to a class A misdemeanor or felony. We'd like to see the bill amended so the class B misdemeanor can be enhanced to a class A misdemeanor or felony.
Please contact your House Rep before this Monday 3/3 and ask them to make those amendments.
Thanks,
Rhonda, Larayn & Henry The Dog!!!
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