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!
We signed the "PETITION TO MAKE ANIMAL CRUELTY A FELONY" petition!
# 2,886:
8:03 am PST, Nov 9,
Name not displayed, Maryland
# 2,885:
8:32 am PST, Nov 5,
SHERYL JORDAN, Idaho
THESE PETS ARE JUST AS HUMAN AS WE ARE. GET RID OF THIS CRUELTY!!!!
THESE PETS ARE JUST AS HUMAN AS WE ARE. GET RID OF THIS CRUELTY!!!!
# 2,884:
7:08 am PST, Nov 5,
Name not displayed, Idaho
I think it is horrific to allow anyone to abuse or neglect animals to get away with just a slap on the wrist. There needs to be stiff penalties for anyone proven guilty of abuse or neglect of any animal. This should also include any participation in the 'sport' of fighting animals.
I think it is horrific to allow anyone to abuse or neglect animals to get away with just a slap on the wrist. There needs to be stiff penalties for anyone proven guilty of abuse or neglect of any animal. This should also include any participation in the 'sport' of fighting animals.
# 2,883:
10:00 pm PST, Nov 4,
Teresa Watson, Idaho
It is time idaho stands up for animals. As long as it stay amistaminer they will keep hurting and killing. Animals are helpless victom the same as children are, we should give both the right to live and be free of abuse
It is time idaho stands up for animals. As long as it stay amistaminer they will keep hurting and killing. Animals are helpless victom the same as children are, we should give both the right to live and be free of abuse
# 2,882:
8:45 pm PST, Nov 4,
Jaime Martin, Idaho
Idaho needs to make this issue a felony. NOW!
Idaho needs to make this issue a felony. NOW!
# 2,881:
12:35 pm PDT, Oct 25,
Tashia Mccarty, Maryland
# 2,880:
4:07 pm PDT, Oct 24,
Nicholette Drehobl, New York
# 2,879:
6:41 am PDT, Oct 18,
Jd Talley, Kansas
# 2,878:
3:17 pm PDT, Oct 14,
Shauna Dillenbeck, Idaho
Imagine it was your pet. How is it Idaho is one of the few states where it is not a felony? Lets make the change now to have the punishment fit the crime.
Imagine it was your pet. How is it Idaho is one of the few states where it is not a felony? Lets make the change now to have the punishment fit the crime.
# 2,877:
1:25 pm PDT, Oct 14,
Jennifer McBeth, Pennsylvania
# 2,876:
8:59 am PDT, Oct 6,
Sandra Hall, Idaho
I implore you to please respect the rights of all living creatures and pass a bill that imposes stiff penalties for cruelty to animals.
I implore you to please respect the rights of all living creatures and pass a bill that imposes stiff penalties for cruelty to animals.
# 2,875:
9:09 pm PDT, Oct 3,
Angie Williams, Idaho
# 2,874:
12:47 pm PDT, Sep 29,
Dzevahira Kostic, Idaho
# 2,873:
8:09 pm PDT, Sep 26,
Jeffrey McWilliams, Kansas
the McWilliams Faily in Wichita,kansas
the McWilliams Faily in Wichita,kansas
# 2,872:
7:08 am PDT, Sep 26,
Elodie Navet, France
c'est quand même la moindre des choses qu'un animal soit considéré par la société
c'est quand même la moindre des choses qu'un animal soit considéré par la société
# 2,871:
7:26 pm PDT, Sep 25,
Name not displayed, Idaho
This has to be put to an end! Really animals are just as important as people. Just rember that.
This has to be put to an end! Really animals are just as important as people. Just rember that.
# 2,870:
9:06 pm PDT, Sep 20,
Frits Vermeulen, Belgium
# 2,869:
9:06 pm PDT, Sep 20,
Roos Baert, Belgium
# 2,868:
2:52 am PDT, Sep 18,
Simos Tarabatzis, Greece
# 2,867:
4:06 pm PDT, Sep 16,
Ken Mansfield, Idaho
Shouldnt Idaho drag itself out of the dark ages and make this a felony?
Shouldnt Idaho drag itself out of the dark ages and make this a felony?
# 2,866:
11:10 am PDT, Sep 15,
Laura Rodrigues, Portugal
# 2,865:
2:41 am PDT, Sep 14,
Iryna Marroyen, Belgium
# 2,864:
2:40 am PDT, Sep 14,
Marc Marroyen, Belgium
# 2,863:
2:31 am PDT, Sep 13,
VIER Eva, France
TORTIONNAIRE D'ANIMAUX = FUTUR KILLERS - il faut empêcher ces humains de nuire de nouveau et continuer en toute impunité de commettre leurs crimes...
TORTIONNAIRE D'ANIMAUX = FUTUR KILLERS - il faut empêcher ces humains de nuire de nouveau et continuer en toute impunité de commettre leurs crimes...
# 2,862:
12:13 pm PDT, Sep 11,
Serge SERGE, France
# 2,861:
6:07 pm PDT, Sep 10,
Holly Hulse, Idaho
Please make an honest effort to stop people from committing such acts and getting away with it! This type of behavior is deplorable and people convicted of these crimes no matter the age need to be punished!! ACTS LIKE THIS AGAINST A PERSON WOULD BE PURSUID!! What makes an animals life any less valuable. These types of acts show no respect for life. How would you feel if these acts were committed against someone in your family or your child? Why would an animals life, safety, or well being be any less important than a persons. I'm not a vegetarian and I do eat meat but that does not give me the right to treat any life with disrespect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please make an honest effort to stop people from committing such acts and getting away with it! This type of behavior is deplorable and people convicted of these crimes no matter the age need to be punished!! ACTS LIKE THIS AGAINST A PERSON WOULD BE PURSUID!! What makes an animals life any less valuable. These types of acts show no respect for life. How would you feel if these acts were committed against someone in your family or your child? Why would an animals life, safety, or well being be any less important than a persons. I'm not a vegetarian and I do eat meat but that does not give me the right to treat any life with disrespect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# 2,860:
1:21 pm PDT, Sep 9,
Crystel Buckley, Idaho
Anyone who is charged with animal cruelty should be charged just the same as if they were to harm any person. Animals should be treated with the same respect as you or I!!!
Anyone who is charged with animal cruelty should be charged just the same as if they were to harm any person. Animals should be treated with the same respect as you or I!!!
# 2,859:
10:25 am PDT, Sep 4,
Name not displayed, Idaho
# 2,858:
12:21 pm PDT, Aug 31,
Name not displayed, Idaho
Animals are just like humans,imagine a world where humans owned other humans and whn they were done with them just slit there throats and leave them to die.The world would be horrible, so lets stop this right now!!!
Animals are just like humans,imagine a world where humans owned other humans and whn they were done with them just slit there throats and leave them to die.The world would be horrible, so lets stop this right now!!!
# 2,857:
8:27 am PDT, Aug 29,
Frances Corkill, Idaho
# 2,856:
9:36 am PDT, Aug 28,
Libby Johnson, Idaho
# 2,855:
9:35 am PDT, Aug 28,
Audra Ford, Idaho
# 2,854:
9:21 am PDT, Aug 28,
Melissa Berg, Idaho
# 2,853:
9:20 am PDT, Aug 28,
Hilary Meek, Idaho
# 2,852:
9:17 am PDT, Aug 28,
Kristin Stewart, Idaho
# 2,851:
8:51 am PDT, Aug 28,
Tami Brutsman, Idaho
When I hear stories like this one, it breaks my heart that anyone would treat one of god's creatures like this. Animals love us unconditionally, and look at the horrible acts some people choose to do. I think any animal cruelty act should be a felony and the criminal should serve hard time. Maybe even make them register has a felony who abuses animals.
When I hear stories like this one, it breaks my heart that anyone would treat one of god's creatures like this. Animals love us unconditionally, and look at the horrible acts some people choose to do. I think any animal cruelty act should be a felony and the criminal should serve hard time. Maybe even make them register has a felony who abuses animals.
