Stiff Prosecution, Meaningful Sentence Needed in Salt Lake County Bird, Dog Shootings

August 16, 2007

Prosecution of a Utah man charged in the shooting deaths of a small dog and an American Robin in the yard of his Salt Lake County home in May must be aggressive and meaningful, The Humane Society of the United States believes.

Though The HSUS supports the aggravated animal cruelty charges levied against Garth Shaw in this case, we encourage Salt Lake County prosecutors to take it a few steps further: Uphold the charges against Shaw and, if he is convicted, seek a sentence that includes jail time, psychological counseling and a requirement that he be banned from further animal contact. We also encourage county prosecutors to refer the case to federal prosecutors, who could charge Shaw with a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The law bans the killing of migratory birds native to the United States or its territories.

The HSUS, the nation's largest animal protection organization with decades of experience in the prosecution of animal cruelty cases, also offers assistance to Salt Lake County prosecutors in the preparation of their case against Shaw.

The connection between animal cruelty and human violence has been widely reported and studied: For example, a three-year Chicago Police Department study revealed that 65 percent of the department's animal cruelty arrestees had prior arrests on battery charges. The nation's most notorious serial killers share a common history of unrecognized animal cruelty behavior, a separate study found.

The HSUS wants Salt Lake County prosecutors to send a message to their community that animal cruelty will not be tolerated. Utah, which has more than 44,000 members of The HSUS in its population, should demand firm treatment of those convicted of animal cruelty.

Unfortunately, Utah is one of the few states in the nation that does not have felony-level penalties for the most horrific acts of intentional animal cruelty, including burning, torture and poisoning. The HSUS firmly supports Utah legislation, S.B. 190 or "Henry's Law," which would raise penalties for such crimes to a felony level. Though versions of the bill passed both the Utah House and Senate, the last legislative session ended before the versions could be reconciled. Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. has already indicated he is considering placing the bill on the legislative session agenda this year. The HSUS believes its consideration is of the utmost importance.

-30-

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at www.humanesociety.org.