"We have pretty much a concurrence bill ... that no one is completely in favor of, but most of the organizations, if not all, seem to be supporting," said Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful.

Her bill - the latest incarnation of "Henry's Law," named after a dog that was nearly killed when it was put in the oven by its owner's ex-husband - would make it a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, for the torture of a domestic dog or cat.

It defines torture as "intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or exceptionally depraved manner."

"I still have concerns with where we're going," said Rep. Kerry Gibson, R-Ogden, who had opposed the bill in the past. He also criticized the process that he said was fueled by media hysteria over the animal cruelty issue "when we have reporters, news media that they want to make public policy by scaring people to death."

Gibson noted, as he has in the past, that child abuse, assaulting a police officer and negligent homicide are not felonies, but animal torture would be under the bill.

But Gibson ended up voting for the bill, saying he thought it was a good compromise.

Allen's bill is nearly identical to legislation sponsored by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, that passed the Senate last week.

It is Christensen's bill that the House is expected to eventually adopt, giving some political cover to a member who has been bombarded with criticism and e-mails from supporters of Henry's Law.

A poll by The Tribune before the legislative session began found that two-thirds of those surveyed supported making animal torture a felony.

Earlier incarnations, sponsored by Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, were more sweeping, covering all domestic animals and covering livestock, as well, drawing opposition from the state's agricultural interests.

The bill passed 61-6 and goes to the Senate.