Service animals are heroes. They guide, alert, calm, and protect the people who depend on them every day. These animals are loyal, hardworking, and trained to do life-saving jobs — and they deserve our full protection under the law.

But in Utah right now, hurting a service animal is treated as only a misdemeanor. That means someone can seriously injure one of these animals and face little more than a fine or short jail time.

H.B. 23 is a new bill that would finally treat this abuse the way it should be treated — as a felony. If passed, it would make it a third-degree felony to harm or harass a service animal. It would also create a simple public website so people can learn how the law protects these animals and what their rights and responsibilities are.

This bill sends a clear message: if you harm a service animal, you will be held fully accountable.

Anyone who loves animals should support this bill. These are not just pets. They are trusted partners for people with disabilities, helping them live safely and independently. When a service animal is attacked or injured, it puts their human partner at serious risk too.

If you believe service animals deserve stronger protection, sign this petition today. Tell Utah lawmakers to pass H.B. 23 and give service animals the respect and safety they have earned.

They protect us. Now let’s protect them.