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Committee adopts substitute, then holds animal-protection bill after questions
Summary
Lawmakers considered HB 461 to speed rehoming of abused or seized pets, allow restitution from offenders, and require programming for repeat abusers. Committee adopted substitute language but later voted to hold the bill for further questions rather than sending it to the floor.
Representative (sponsor) told the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee that House Bill 461 seeks to protect abused pets, reduce shelter costs and hold offenders accountable by creating a clear judicial pathway to determine placement of animals seized for abuse or while owners are incarcerated.
The sponsor said the bill would “ensure that rescued pets are not kept in shelters indefinitely by allowing courts to review their status and determine placement through a clear legal process.” The bill would also permit courts to order restitution from offenders for food, medical treatment, housing and shelter expenses and require participation in animal-cruelty prevention programming to reduce repeat offenses.
Carl Carpenter, field operations manager with Salt Lake County Animal Services, testified in support and described shelter burden: “We currently have an animal with us that's been with us for 2 and a half years... when you look at the fees and the resources ... around $18,000, that's money that is a big drain on the county,” he said.
Committee members asked about the bill’s scope. Sponsors said the process can be used when an animal is seized because an owner is incarcerated and that courts could move more quickly to transfer animals if a judge deems it appropriate. Brett Robinson of the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office clarified that the bill creates a class C misdemeanor for attempting to thwart court orders that would return animals to abusers.
The committee adopted the first substitute for HB 461 on a voice vote. When members later considered whether to forward the substitute to the floor, Representative Hall moved to hold the bill to allow time for additional questions and committee conversations; that motion carried. The sponsor said she preferred to move the bill forward and work on remaining concerns before the House floor, but the committee chose to hold the bill.
The session record shows the committee intends follow-up conversations before the bill is rescheduled.
