Veterinary Group Opposes 1 Of 3 Effort

Idaho animal lovers are divided over different plans to increase protection for animals.

?I think there does need to be more attention paid to animal cruelty and neglect, and I do think there needs to be harsher penalties,? veterinarian Sherilynn Burkman said.

A bill before the legislature would make a third case of animal torture or cockfighting into a felony.

The Idaho Veterinary Medical Association is supportive.

“We are as a state gradually increasing the penalties for animal cruelty, which I think is the right direction to go,? IVMA President Les Stone said.

But on that point, some disagree.

The Idaho One of Three organization plans to turn egregious animal cruelty cases into felonies. It’s called One of Three because Idaho is one of only three states to not have a felony option for cruelty to animals.

But One of Three President Virginia Hemingway said what the legislature is doing basically amounts to nothing at all.

“What the legislature is doing right now is passing what I call ‘fake felonies,’? Hemingway said.

She said the bill before the legislature would leave felony punishments the same as current misdemeanors, making them felonies in nothing but name.

Hemingway said things need to change.

“Idaho is a haven for repeat offenders, and anyone who says differently doesn’t know what they’re talking about,? Hemingway said.

The IVMA doesn’t support the One of Three petition. In fact, Stone accuses One of Three of buying signatures for its referendum.

“There’s emails going out instructing people how to get signatures on these initiatives by paying people $2 apiece,? Stone said.

But Hemingway said that’s far from true. She said a few people out gathering signatures have gotten a very small payment, but no one is paid to sign.

Those interested in the One of Three effort can go to http://idaho1of3.org/ or call Susan Meek at 208-232-2480.