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House passes tougher penalties for animal cruelty, keeping judge discretion for counseling
Summary
First Substitute HB303, expanding the cruelty‑to‑animals penalty structure and adding exemptions and discretionary counseling, passed the Utah House 65–1. Sponsor said amendments preserved humane euthanasia options and responded to prosecutors' and advocacy groups' recommendations.
Representative Pignanelli introduced First Substitute HB303 and moved an amendment to clarify the wildlife exemption language by inserting "and unprotected" after "protected," which the House adopted. Pignanelli said the bill establishes a graduated penalty structure that raises the most egregious acts to a Class A misdemeanor and escalates repeat offenses…
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