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Ongoing Efforts:

Support a pet store ordinance banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in your city!
 
The Utah Humane Society has met with many cities asking them to consider a lifesaving ordinance that would prohibit pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits ― unless they come from shelters or rescue groups. If enacted, this ordinance will help end the suffering of countless animals from substandard conditions in puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeding and will help reduce the number of homeless animals entering shelters. More than 260 cities and counties throughout the U.S. (as well as the entire states of California and Maryland) have already passed laws to ban the retail sale of puppies from inhumane breeding mills. 
 
Please encourage your City Council to support this important ordinance by emailing or calling your councilmembers or attending a City Council meeting.
 
Previous Legislative Efforts

2019 Efforts:

Legislative Bills supported by Utah Humane Society in 2019:
  • S.B. 142 Animal Welfare Amendments: This bill amends cruelty to animals provisions to address a dog at a residence in extreme weather conditions. Sponsored by Sen. Gene Davis and Rep. Eric Hutchings. Status: WE NEED YOUR HELP! Email your representative or the Senate Rules Committee and ask that they move this bill out of rules and give it a fair hearing. Click here to find your Senator and click here to see members of the Senate Rules Committee where you can click on their name to see their email address.
  • H.B. 43 Support Animals Amendments: This bill amends provisions related to animals that provide support for individuals with disabilities. Sponsored by Rep. James Dunnigan and Sen. Curtis Bramble. 
  • S.B. 45 Domestic Violence Revisions: This bill adds aggravated cruelty to an animal to the list of offenses that may qualify as a domestic violence offense. Sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen. PASSED
  • H.B. 365 Animal Shelter Amendments: This bill addresses the methods by which an animal shelter may euthanize an animal (not using a gas chamber). Sponsored by Rep. Erik Hutchings.
  • More TBA.
Click here to find your Senate and House representatives.
Email advocacy@utahhumane.org with any questions or concerns.
We encourage you to send a personalized short, respectful and polite message asking your representatives for their support.

 

2018 Efforts:

Legislative Bills supported by Utah Humane Society in 2018:

 

Define shelter for domestic dogs in extreme weather

Photo courtesy of The Humane Society of the United States
 

Currently, Utah law states that you must provide food, water and shelter for a companion animal but there is no definition for "shelter." We are in support of amending the language to define what is considered an adequate shelter with S.B. 142 sponsored by Sen. Gene Davis.

 

The current law is vague, and owners could face criminal charges depending on the interpretation of individual officers or prosecutors. A clearly defined law is necessary to help owners understand what they are required to provide for the humane treatment of their pets and to eliminate confusion among officers and the court so the law can be applied consistently.

All domestic dogs and cats need proper shelter and care, but it is especially important for those that are kept outdoors for extended periods of time in extreme weather conditions. Pets predominantly kept outdoors are exposed to harsh weather elements such as rain, sleet, snow, and heat. The Humane Society of Utah recommends that owners bring their pets inside during extreme weather. If left outside, they should have access to a barn, dog house, or other structure that is sufficiently sound to protect against inclement weather and extreme temperatures.

Why is this bill important?

  • Protection from the elements is essential for all domestic dogs, regardless of breed or size. Every breed is susceptible to hypothermia, frostbite, heatstroke, and even death depending on duration and weather conditions. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends that dogs, even thick-coated arctic breeds, should never be left outside during below freezing weather – and especially not without shelter that allows the dog to maintain normal body temperature.
  • Cases of animals left outside in dangerous weather are frequently investigated by law enforcement agencies, but the vagueness of our current law makes enforcement difficult. 
  • Harm can be caused to a dog through the negligent acts or omissions of an owner. A definition outlining the requirements may allow law enforcement to intervene and correct a situation before injury occurs and a dog owner faces criminal charges.
  • 14 states clearly define shelter or dog house in their cruelty statute.

* Factors such as the pet's health, age, and breed are all considered on a case by case basis by animal control officers when they respond to a complaint. This bill is not intended as a regulatory or enforcement bill, it simply seeks to define the word shelter and would not include any other animal other than a domestic dog in the counties of the first class. It does not apply to wildlife or livestock. This is not an anti-tethering bill, however, an owner cannot leave an animal unattended in a manner that prevents the animal from reaching shelter.

The Utah Animal Control Officers Association (UACOA), Salt Lake County, Sandy City, West Valley City, West Jordan City, Davis County, and other animal control officers support S.B. 142!

 

Related articles from 2018:

Pet owners would face punishment for not providing animals with shelter under proposed law - St. George News

Utah animal advocates want to beef up requirement on shelter for dogs in bad weather - Salt Lake Tribune

Utah pet advocates want stricter doghouse shelter law - KUTV 2

 

These photos represent inadequate shelter. A dog must have the ability to reach adequate shelter during extreme heat or cold conditions.

          

 

See how your Senator voted in 2018:

End gas chamber euthanasia

     

We believe that legislation is needed to prevent gas chambers from being used by the remaining shelters that have them, or any future use.

 

Utah is one of four states where a handful of animal shelters are still using the outdated and inhumane method of gas chamber euthanasia.

Both the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society of Utah (HSU) have been working together to help the eight Utah animal shelters that are still utilizing a gas chamber to euthanize animals make the transition from carbon monoxide gas to euthanasia by injection (EBI) only.

FACTS:

  • Utah is one of four states in the U.S. that still uses a gas chamber to euthanize animals. 
  • Out of the 57 animal shelters HSU tracks, seven have a gas chamber.
  • Euthanasia by injection (EBI) is comparable in cost, faster, painless and safer for personnel.
  • In regard to personnel safety, carbon monoxide is extremely hazardous, toxic, and explosive in high concentrations.
  • EBI takes 3-5 seconds to lose consciousness and 2-4 minutes for death to occur. Gas Chambers can take up to 30 minutes, and some animals survive the terrifying process. The uptake of CO cannot be accurately measured in a shelter setting, especially if more than one animal is inside, the animal is too young, old, ill, injured, or has mental stress or physical abnormality.
  • EBI is the ONLY PREFERRED method by every major national veterinary and animal welfare organization.

 

Click HERE to view and download an EBI Fact Sheet.