IN FOCUS Discussion: Utah's Animal Rights Issues & Advocacy скачать в хорошем качестве

IN FOCUS Discussion: Utah's Animal Rights Issues & Advocacy

It was a quieter year on Utah's Capitol Hill this session, with a smaller number of bills related to animal rights issues. Nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups, like many others, were forced to shift some of their focus due the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were still legislative efforts brought forth this year to address concerns in regards to the ethical treatment and safety of animals. Utah ranks in the bottom 10 nationally when it comes to animal advocacy laws and local advocates continue fighting to change that. Rachel Heatley, Advocacy and Investigations Director for the Humane Society of Utah discussed how this legislative session fared for animal advocacy efforts, H.B. 386 that would have addressed the issue with Utahns transporting dogs in their trucks, and S.B. 237 which would end the use of gas chamber euthanasia in Utah. Callista Pearson, Communications Manager for Salt Lake County Animal Services discussed how Utah ranks nationally when it comes to animal advocacy laws, how COVID-19 impacted their shelter and their foster program, and their efforts on Dixie's Law during the next legislative session to increase the penalties for animal abuse charges. Jeremy Beckham, Executive Director for the Utah Animal Rights Coalition discussed their efforts to get the Governor to shut down mink farms because of the danger it poses with the transmission of COVID-19, S.B. 130 which addresses concentrated animal feeding operations, and H.B. 166 that would intensify penalties for anyone who shoots or steals livestock.