Senator Stephenson
1038 E 13590 S, DRAPER, UT, 84020
hstephenson@le.utah.gov
We are students of Riverton High School and the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers.
As students enrolled in veterinary science programs, we are concerned for the safety and health
of all animals, especially our companion animals. We are very excited to see that there are two
bills waiting to be passed here in Utah concerning humane animal euthanasia and animal
cruelty (Bills SB 56 and SB 136).
We would like to strongly encourage you to pass these bills as it will most definitely enhance the
conditions domestic animals live in and their quality of life.
Bill SB 56 - Senator Knudson
This bill:
Addresses the methods by which an animal shelter may euthanize an animal;
Requires an animal shelter to adopt a euthanasia policy and training program;
and
Makes technical and conforming changes.
Concerning this bill SB 56, we would like to propose a change to Section 1. We suggest that
the minimum holding period of stray, unidentified animals be seven business days rather than
five. We realize that the resources may not be available to do this, but we feel it would increase
the chance for animals to be returned home or adopted. Owners who are really dedicated to
finding their lost pet may not be able to get to every local shelter in the minimum of five business
days. We feel that seven would be sufficient to do so.
We are very grateful to see the proposed changes and guidelines for humane euthanasia that
will need to be followed (Section 3). We are especially glad to see inhumane euthanasia
practices being prohibited. Euthanasia is supposed to be as peaceful and as painless as
possible, as it is to help our pets, so this proposed change is very heartening.
We encourage you to support this bill. It will greatly enhance the lives of lost and homeless pets
and ensure a safe, peaceful passing from this life for euthanised animals.
Bill SB 136 - Senator Davis
This bill:
Makes it a crime to leave an animal tethered and unattended, under certain
conditions, in a manner that prevents the animal from reaching shelter; and
Makes technical changes.
In Section 1 of this bill, we are very excited to see the specifics regarding the classification of
shelter. We are also glad to see strong punishments being proposed for those people who
abuse or neglect animals.
We are very grateful to see these proposed changes and laws here in Utah. We strongly
encourage you to support this bill also, because it will hopefully lower animal abuse and cruelty
cases in the state, and it will also punish those found guilty of these actions.
Thank you for your time and again ask you to really consider passing these bills. We only want
the best for animals and pets as veterinary student. We think these bills can really help improve
their lives and living conditions.
Sincerely,
Courtney Steiner, Brinley Wilkerson, Brooke Hardy, Joseph Gagon, Andee Bath, Abbi, Kelly,
Sage Wintle
Representative McCay
3364 KOLLMAN WAY RIVERTON, UT 84065
dmccay@le.utah.gov
We are students of Riverton High School and the Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers.
As students enrolled in veterinary science programs, we are concerned for the safety and health
of all animals, especially our companion animals. We are very excited to see that there are two
bills waiting to be passed here in Utah concerning humane animal euthanasia and animal
cruelty (Bills SB 56 and SB 136).
We would like to strongly encourage you to pass these bills as it will most definitely enhance the
conditions domestic animals live in and their quality of life.
Bill SB 56 - Senator Knudson
This bill:
Addresses the methods by which an animal shelter may euthanize an animal;
Requires an animal shelter to adopt a euthanasia policy and training program;
and
Makes technical and conforming changes.
Concerning this bill SB 56, we would like to propose a change to Section 1. We suggest that
the minimum holding period of stray, unidentified animals be seven business days rather than
five. We realize that the resources may not be available to do this, but we feel it would increase
the chance for animals to be returned home or adopted. Owners who are really dedicated to
finding their lost pet may not be able to get to every local shelter in the minimum of five business
days. We feel that seven would be sufficient to do so.
We are very grateful to see the proposed changes and guidelines for humane euthanasia that
will need to be followed (Section 3). We are especially glad to see inhumane euthanasia
practices being prohibited. Euthanasia is supposed to be as peaceful and as painless as
possible, as it is to help our pets, so this proposed change is very heartening.
We encourage you to support this bill. It will greatly enhance the lives of lost and homeless pets
and ensure a safe, peaceful passing from this life for euthanised animals.
Bill SB 136 - Senator Davis
This bill:
Makes it a crime to leave an animal tethered and unattended, under certain
conditions, in a manner that prevents the animal from reaching shelter; and
Makes technical changes.
In Section 1 of this bill, we are very excited to see the specifics regarding the classification of
shelter. We are also glad to see strong punishments being proposed for those people who
abuse or neglect animals.
We are very grateful to see these proposed changes and laws here in Utah. We strongly
encourage you to support this bill also, because it will hopefully lower animal abuse and cruelty
cases in the state, and it will also punish those found guilty of these actions.
Thank you for your time and again ask you to really consider passing these bills. We only want
the best for animals and pets as veterinary student. We think these bills can really help improve
their lives and living conditions.
Sincerely,
Courtney Steiner, Brinley Wilkerson, Brooke Hardy, Joseph Gagon, Andee Bath, Abbi, Kelly,
Sage Wintle
