Opinion Forum -- On Legislation:

From D'marie, UT 8/4/07:  as the horrific details of the Michael Vick dog-fighting case unfold, I can only hope the few Utah legislators who voted "no" on Henry's Law are closely watching.

Utah is one of only 7 states that does not make animal cruelty a felony offense.  This means that if Vick, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, had committed this sadistic crime in Utah, he would face only misdemeanor charges for the inhuman slaughter and torture of these innocent living beings.

Our Utah legislature needs to take a stand in the 2008 session and unanimously pass Henry's law, making it a felony to abuse animals in Utah.  Utah House members Steve Clark, brad King, Kerry Gibson and John Mathis (a veterinarian!) are mainly responsible for this important bill not passing in this years general session.

If they need more convincing, consider that in this past year alone, several high-profile murder cases revealed that those found guilty of these crimes had a past which included torture and killing of animals before 'moving on"to human beings.

One of those tragic cases is right here in Utah.  After little Destiny Norton's murder, it was revealed that her killer had a past of torturing animals.  He then went on to kill an innocent child.

What other proof could you possibly need to pass this bill?

From Stan in Ogden, UT 8/9/06:  Regarding increasing the animal cruelty statute from a misdemeanor to a felony for animal cruelty in Utah -If dog is man's best friend, then we in Utah should be ashamed that 30,000 cats and dogs are put to death annually in state animal shelters.

From IIona in Logan UT 1/30/06:  Regarding increasing the animal cruelty statute from a misdemeanor to a felony for animal cruelty in Utah - I believe that condoning – or treating as trivial – the deliberate infliction of suffering to any animal, or person, or part of our planet, does violence to our own souls. We honor the love of the Creator for all His creation when we care for each other in mutually nurturing community. Preventing violence against animals and humans should be part of our civic practice.

From Gail 10/21/02:  I was looking at your website on animal abuse & I wanted to give my opinion.  I think anyone that abuses an animal is a sick individual.  Especially the way they abused them in some of your stories.  They should torture these people the same way they tortured these animals.  The penalty for animal abuse should be much stiffer.  Someone needs to wake these people up & make them realize animals have feelings to & that they depend on us. Good luck in prosecuting these ***-holes.

From Judi 8/7/01:  Minnesota was able to pass a felony bill into law this year. The abusers need to know that we do not take animal cruelty/abuse lightly! We consider it to be a very serious crime.