Animal Cruelty Laws in Idaho

We the undersigned want to make malicious animal cruelty a felony offense in Idaho. As the FBI has studied for almost three decades now, these crimes often escalate to violent crimes against humans.

Felony provisions have been enacted in 37 states to date. Dog fighting is a felony offense in 43 states. Twenty-four states have felony provisions for wildlife violations.

Animals are living, feeling, breathing creatures who experience enormous pain and suffering often at the hands of violent offenders.

Recent examples include dogs found skinned and dead in the Rigby area. Dogs taken from backyards and shot to death in Inkom, Pocatello and other southeastern Idaho cities. As well as recent cases of mutilated animals. Animal cruelty is a warning sign.

If someone steals your car in Idaho, they have committed a felony offense. But if they take your beloved pet, whom you view as family, and torture, maime and/or kill it, it is a misdemeanor. We want to see this change.

Animals deserve protection whether a feral cat, a family dog, or a barnyard animal. They deserve rights and better laws to help ensure their protection.

These laws should include psychological testing and treatment for the offender, stiffer fines and longer jail sentences.

We cannot remain oblivious to the facts. Not for our sake, nor for the sake of the animals.