Utah
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
Utah
Overall Rank: #46 (Bottom Tier)
- +Veterinarians have immunity for reporting suspected animal cruelty
- -No felony provisions for sexual assault of animals, or for negligent or reckless animal neglect or abandonment
- -Has an ag-gag law
- -No provisions for pre-conviction restitution or forfeiture of cruelly treated animals
- -Definition of “animal” excludes large categories of animals if the conduct and care to the animal is in accordance with “accepted practices”
Animal Protection Laws of Utah
The Animal Protection Laws of Utah compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for Utah with an effective date on or before September 1, 2022.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
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Active Cases
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Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
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Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
Challenging Utah’s Ag-Gag Law
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Gary Herbert
The Animal Legal Defense Fund brought a lawsuit challenging Utah's Ag-Gag law and the United States District Court of Utah declared the statute unconstitutional.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws