This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ross Graham's "Henry's Law" letter was enormously disturbing (Forum, Feb. 4). The cavalier attitude of some legislators ignores the potential consequences of intentional animal torture. Besides the appalling concept of enjoyment derived from a suffering animal, this behavior portends a genuine threat to society.
While researching my dissertation, I found irrefutable evidence that correlates animal abuse and torture with child, elder and spouse abuse. FBI interviews with murderers and serial killers revealed that a significant percentage had tortured and killed animals. Animal torture is a serious psychological disorder and should not be swept under the proverbial rug with a "misdemeanor on the first offense approach" and hope it will go away.
Violence is escalating in our schools, churches and work sites. There is an iron-clad link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. Henry's Law should be passed.
Rick Graham
Salt Lake City
