Why Henry opposes SB 297

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!!!

Henry's Law Update

Hello everyone,

SB 117 MUST BE STOPPED ON SENATE FLOOR

Today SB 117, the bill sponsored by Allen Christensen (R-Ogden) - which was strongly opposed by the Humane Society and other animal-advocacy groups throughout the state - unfortunately passed through the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Standing Committee by a vote of 4 to 2 and will now go to the Senate floor. Those voting FOR the bill were Senators Bell, Greiner, Hillyard, and M. Madsen. It was opposed by Senators McCoy and Romero. Senate Majority Leader John Valentine was absent. Senator Gene Davis's bill for increased penalties for animal torture (SB 102) was not introduced, although it was on the schedule, because time ran out.

We must now direct our major efforts to seeing that SB 117 goes no further. PLEASE e-mail your senator right now and ask him or her to block this bill from advancing through the Senate.

Please remember these basic points:

In order to be classified as an act of animal cruelty, the acts committed must be far more severe than they are in the existing code. For example, failure to provide necessary food, water, and shelter for an animal, abandonment of the animal, or transporting an animal in a cruel or confining manner are NOW considered cruelty, but under SB 117 they would only constitute "neglect." SB 117's definitions of cruelty include"serious, permanent disfigurement; serious injury which creates or causes protracted loss of a bodily member or organ; serious injury which causes a substantial risk of death; or serious injury which causes death."

It requires that a person be convicted twice within five years before he or she could be charged with a third-degree felony for torturing an animal.

It would allow someone to kill an animal to protect their property from destruction or potential damage.

SB 117 makes a large number of exemptions to the kinds of animals that would have any protection whatsoever. It literally states that horses, cattle, pigs, goats, furbearers, and the like are NOT animals at all and can be treated exactly like any inorganic, inanimate piece of property.

In short, the provisions of this appalling bill must not be allowed to become a part of Utah's laws. PLEASE, PLEASE contact your senator immediately and ask that he or she OPPOSE SB 117 when it comes up for discussion on the senate floor.

Please also ask that they try to get SB 102 heard before the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Standing Committee. The Humane Society SUPPORTS SB 102, which would make the deliberate torture of an animal a third-degree felony on the first offense, and also leaves the current animal-cruelty code intact.

Thanks for your support,

Rhonda, Larayn & Henry The Dog!!!

*Animal Torture Stops Now!*
www.helpushelpthem.org

That's it, Enough Said!

RALLY FOR HENRY, AGAIN

If you would like to be on the "Rally for Henry, Again" Committee e-mail your contact information to utahamicus@aol.com

Go Henry!

Henry is my buddy who was tortured by Marc C. Vincent because Vincent was jealous of Henry. When Vincent attacked Henry with a leaf blower Henry lost an eye. In another episode of torture Vincent baked Henry in an oven.

Luckily Henry survived and as you can see he is also a sweetheart.

Today the Utah State Legislature is re-visiting Henry's puppy torture bill. I like and agree with what JM Bell had to say about this legislation.

Let's hope our State legislature does what is right and votes to make heinous acts of torture on our animal friends and family the felony it should be (the first time ).

I love you Henry, and thanks for the kiss.