News & Updates

S.B. 45 Domestic Violence Revisions

Sections Affected:
U.C.A. 77-36-1. Definitions.

This Bill would add “aggravated cruelty to an animal, as described in Subsection 76-9-301, with the intent to harass or threaten the other cohabitant” to the definitions of domestic violence.

Under the current law 76-9-301. Cruelty to animals. states:
(1) As used in this section:
(h) “Torture” means intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner.
(4) A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to an animal if the person:
(a) tortures an animal;
(b) administers, or causes to be administered, poison or a poisonous substance to an animal; or
(c) kills an animal or causes an animal to be killed without having a legal privilege to do so.

Animal abuse is an offense that can and will be punished under current law, but adding it to the list of domestic violence offenses is wrong.

 We Oppose This Bill