Group Works To Make Animal Cruelty A Felony In Idaho
Animal cruelty is a felony in 47 states, but not Idaho, South Dakota or North Dakota.
The group Idaho 1 of 3 wants to make animal cruelty a felony and put it on the ballot in 2012.
Animal cruelty is a problem across the country. It happens in Idaho too said Virginia Hemingway, president of the group 1of 3.
“It is embarrassing to me that we are one of only three states in the nation without felony penalties for torture or repeat offenders,” said Hemingway.
“Having it as a misdemeanor it tends to fall by the wayside,” said Taren Mueller, a representative for 1 of 3.
Back in 2010, state lawmakers dropped the initiative. Now 1 of 3 is asking for people to put it on the ballot, and let the people of Idaho make the decision on whether animal cruelty should be a felony.
“The impression I was given was that they are unwilling to take away any more rights. That the Idaho Legislature doesn’t want to interfere on anyone’s rights,” said Hemingway.
They needs 60,000 signatures by April 30, 2012, to get it on the ballot. Hemingway said she has more than a 1,000 from last week alone.
As Mueller has been out collecting signatures, she said she gets all kinds of responses.
“I have gotten some pretty weird answers, some pretty offensive answers, but you have to respect people’s opinions, but most people want to sign it,” said Mueller.
But this felony would be different. After offenders serve their time, they would get all their rights back including the right to bear arms.
“They were worried if I am out and I spank my dog because he’s bad, I am going to go to jail for a felony. And that is just not it. It is mainly geared toward torture, severe neglect and abuse,” said Mueller.
What would the initiative change? After two misdemeanor convictions of animal cruelty, the third would be a felony.
Massachusetts was the first state to make it a felony in 1804. Mississippi did it just last year. You must be a registered voter to sign the petition. You can sign by clicking here.
