Amended animal cruelty bill clears House

The amended Senate animal cruelty bill, SB 1303a, has passed the House on a 64-2 vote, with just Reps. Dick Harwood and Paul Shepherd voting no. The bill, which makes the most aggravated charge of animal cruelty a felony on a third offense, was amended in the House to add penalties for cockfighting; Idaho is now one of just three states with no felony penalties for animal cruelty. Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, said, “I think the bill has been well-vetted throughout the livestock industry and we’re in agreement with it.” The bill now returns to the Senate for concurrence in the House amendments.