As the House continues debating HB 650, Rep. Ken Andrus' animal cruelty bill, Rep. Bill Killen, D-Boise, spoke in favor of the measure. "I think the good gentleman has done an excellent job of navigating the rocks and shoals of one of the more complex subjects to come along," Killen said. Idaho is one of just three states with no felony penalties for animal cruelty. "Finally, there are some legitimate efforts being made, legitimate efforts," Killen said.

Rep. Cliff Bayer, R-Boise, complimented Andrus for "really stepping up to the plate, and I appreciate his expertise also in the ag arena." Rep. Mack Shirley, R-Rexburg, echoed that. "I think it will be satisfactory to a lot of pepole who have expressed concern dealing with animal cruelty."

Rep. Lenore Barrett, R-Challis, spoke against the bill. "I guess I don't want to be cruel to animals - I have a three-legged dog and I love it to death," she said. "I think maybe we oughta just leave things alone and stop being frightened of what can happen if we don't do something."
 

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