House panel approves tougher animal cruelty bill

BOISE (AP) - A plan to toughen Idaho's animal cruelty laws passed a House committee Monday in action that would put felony animal abuse penalties in place for the first time in the state.

Lawmakers hope the measure will head off a ballot initiative from animal rights advocates that would seek far stiffer penalties.

The bill that advanced out of the House Agricultural Committee would impose a three strikes provision for torturing animals, with a third conviction automatically resulting in a felony. The proposal also makes it a felony to organize cockfighting events accompanied by drugs and gambling.

The measure has splintered support among animal rights groups for a November ballot initiative.

Some groups have signaled support and are backing off their push to make it an election issue. Meanwhile others say it doesn't go far enough.

Rep. Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs, the bill's sponsor, says his legislation is a better solution than the broader and more severe proposal that could come before voters this fall.

"I think the writing is on the wall," Andrus, the chairman of the committee, said during a hearing on the bill last week. "We're going to have to do something in Idaho about animal cruelty."

Under the measure, organizers of gamecock fights also could face felony charges if roosters are armed with blades or given substances intended to enhance aggressiveness.

Livestock and other production animals are exempt from the bill.

Andrus is holding an animal cruelty bill passed by the Senate earlier this year that was deemed too weak by animal rights groups.

The Senate bill failed to define or address animal torture, which is considered a more serious offense than cruelty and is defined in Andrus' bill as intentionally inflicting unjustifiable and extreme or prolonged pain to an animal.