"Ted Bundy started out torturing animals," proclaims a billboard strategically located on Interstate 15 at 3600 South.

Linking a measure that would stiffen the penalty for torturing domestic animals to one of America's most infamous serial killers on billboards throughout Salt Lake County is not hyperbole, says Humane Society Director Gene Baierschmidt.

"There's a direct link between animal cruelty and violence toward people. Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer and Albert DeSalvo all had it in their past," Baierschmidt said. "Before they brutally murdered their human victims, they all tortured animals."

Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, a former Cache County prosecutor, is sponsoring the bill (HB61) that would upgrade intentional torturing of an animal from a petty crime to a felony.

"We dealt with a few of these cases and the last one was really outrageous and troubling," said Wyatt. "We are not talking about minor abuse. We are talking about torture."

The bill stalled in last year's Legislature, but Wyatt says he has won over hunters, farmers and even the Hogle Zoo, assuring them the law would not affect traditional hunting, trapping, falconery, farming or ranching. "They still can brand cattle," he says.

Utah has had several spectacular animal cruelty cases in recent years, including setting dogs afire, dismembering kittens and mutilating horses.

More information on animal cruelty and Wyatt's bill can be found at http://www.utahhumane.org.