PETITION TO MAKE ANIMAL CRUELTY A FELONY
Target:
Idaho Legislature
Sponsored by:
On May 8, 2008 a 9 month old shepherd mix was found near a hops field in Canyon County. The puppy had been beaten and was left for dead. Its muzzle and front and back legs were bound together with duct tape. There was also a large amount of blood around the dog%u2019s neck and the back of his head. The dog was still alive and conscious when it was taken to a clinic, but the injury was so severe that the dog had to be euthanized.
Under the existing Idaho law, even in a horrific case such as this, judges do not have the option of imposing a felony sanction on defendants convicted of animal cruelty. Tests show that violence towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence, school shootings, and serial killings. Yet, regardless of the heinous nature of the crime, the penalty for animal cruelty in Idaho is only a misdemeanor. Idaho is only one of only SIX states in the nation where this is true; forty four other states have felony provisions for animal cruelty. Idaho%u2019s judges and prosecutors should be able to charge and sentence a person under a felony provision if the nature of the defendant's cruelty to an animal warrants such a punishment.
The citizens signing this Petition hereby respectfully request that the Legislature and the Governor amend Idaho law to make crimes against animals a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Under the existing Idaho law, even in a horrific case such as this, judges do not have the option of imposing a felony sanction on defendants convicted of animal cruelty. Tests show that violence towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence, school shootings, and serial killings. Yet, regardless of the heinous nature of the crime, the penalty for animal cruelty in Idaho is only a misdemeanor. Idaho is only one of only SIX states in the nation where this is true; forty four other states have felony provisions for animal cruelty. Idaho%u2019s judges and prosecutors should be able to charge and sentence a person under a felony provision if the nature of the defendant's cruelty to an animal warrants such a punishment.
The citizens signing this Petition hereby respectfully request that the Legislature and the Governor amend Idaho law to make crimes against animals a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
On May 8, 2008 a 9 month old shepherd mix was found near a hops field in Canyon County. The puppy had been beaten and was left for dead. Its muzzle and front and back legs were bound together with duct tape. There was also a large amount of blood around the dog%u2019s neck and the back of his head. The dog was still alive and conscious when it was taken to a clinic, but the injury was so severe that the dog had to be euthanized.
Under the existing Idaho law, even in a horrific case such as this, judges do not have the option of imposing a felony sanction on defendants convicted of animal cruelty. Tests show that violence towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence, school shootings, and serial killings. Yet, regardless of the heinous nature of the crime, the penalty for animal cruelty in Idaho is only a misdemeanor. Idaho is only one of only SIX states in the nation where this is true; forty four other states have felony provisions for animal cruelty. Idaho%u2019s judges and prosecutors should be able to charge and sentence a person under a felony provision if the nature of the defendant's cruelty to an animal warrants such a punishment.
The citizens signing this Petition hereby respectfully request that the Legislature and the Governor amend Idaho law to make crimes against animals a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Under the existing Idaho law, even in a horrific case such as this, judges do not have the option of imposing a felony sanction on defendants convicted of animal cruelty. Tests show that violence towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence, school shootings, and serial killings. Yet, regardless of the heinous nature of the crime, the penalty for animal cruelty in Idaho is only a misdemeanor. Idaho is only one of only SIX states in the nation where this is true; forty four other states have felony provisions for animal cruelty. Idaho%u2019s judges and prosecutors should be able to charge and sentence a person under a felony provision if the nature of the defendant's cruelty to an animal warrants such a punishment.
The citizens signing this Petition hereby respectfully request that the Legislature and the Governor amend Idaho law to make crimes against animals a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
We the undersigned are very concerned about the penalties for Animal Cruelty in the State of Idaho. Under Idaho law, animal Cruelty is only a misdemeanor. It is only one of 6 states where this is true. Idaho may not recognize animal life to be as valuable as human life, hence, the misdemeanor statutes. However, tests show that violence towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence, school shootings, and serial killings. We want to ensure that these people are punished for an act that is truly felonious...harming a helpless animal.
Thanks you for taking the time to read our letter, and we hope you take it to heart and we can make this change!
Thanks you for taking the time to read our letter, and we hope you take it to heart and we can make this change!
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We signed the "PETITION TO MAKE ANIMAL CRUELTY A FELONY" petition!
# 2,785:
# 2,784:
Whoever could be so cruel to abuse such sweet animals must need some mental help.
# 2,783:
# 2,782:
When I hear of cases like this, it breaks my heart. I too have adopted an abused dog from a shelter and it has taken a long time for her to realize that we aren't going to hurt her and that we love her. She suffered mentally, emotionally, and physically from her previous owners and it is so sad that people can get away with these forms of abuse. Something has to be done!!! Animals are so special and show such much love and companionship. I also have started fostering cats through a local shelter. I have 3 little kittens that were abandoned and left to take care of themselves. People that hurt these wonderful creatures need to have some harsher punishments!!!!
# 2,781:
# 2,780:
# 2,779:
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# 2,777:
My husband and I adopted a German Sheppard who had been subjected to sever cruelty and abuse. The first time I knew something was wrong with my girl, I was in the kitchen making coffee. When I went to reach up to get the filters out of the cupboard. My girl started to cry as if I were hitting her and then fell on her back shaking and screaming. I was so freaked out I backed out of the kitchen. I had know idea what was going on. I later found out from the pound I got her from, she had been left outside all day with nothing to play with and no one giving her any attention, then at night she was put into a kennel in the garage. She was a growing puppy who got bored and destroyed a patio set. They beat her and then left her at the pound. Any person who is a dog lover knows dogs need toys and attention and to be PART OF A FAMILY. Our vet said she needs to be kenneled. She has to have her own space, somewhere she can go when she needs time. I have always had dogs growing up and never once did we kennel them. I was shock to have to do this, but I wanted what was best for her so I went out a bought the biggest kennel they had. For 4 years she would not let us ween her from the kennel. She would hide and cower for the longest time inside that kennel when ever she got spooked. We talked with many different trainers about her, took their advice and for 4 long years she slowly stared to come out of her shell. My girl is now 7 years old and finally she was weened off her kennel and she no longer cowers. She is still a little nervous at times, but not any where near the way she used to be. Because of what my baby went through my husband and I started fostering dogs. Some were abused and others were just abandoned or they just had not found their family yet. I don't understand how people can get away with beating these gifts from god. Dogs love to please their family and they will do anything asked of them. All it takes is time, a little hard work and a lot of love. No animal should have to go through the abuse subjected on them form the sick people in this world.
# 2,776:
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# 2,763:
# 2,762:
I think that the state of Idaho should make it a felony for cruelty to animals. It is sad that it is even allowed to be anything less. More and more animals that are abused become violent and then have to be put down because nobody cared what was happening to the them. Stop the violence against animals. They deserve to be spoiled loved and doted on just like every other living creature ourselves included.
# 2,761:
# 2,760:
How embarrassing for Idaho.
# 2,759:
# 2,757:
I am an animal lover,they are just like humans and people should be punished as if harming a human.
# 2,756:
# 2,755:
# 2,754:
This should also go for horses as well, there is a horse out in canyon county who is in need of medical attention and the animal control won't step in and do anything for the animal except let it suffer
# 2,753:
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