Animal advocates say Utah can do better

Animal advocates believe Utah could do more to protect dogs, cats and other animals that are abused.

Rachel Heatley of the Humane Society of Utah says the state has some animal protection laws but needs to do more.

Animal advocates also say there are not enough animal control agents in place around the state.

The state ranked 43rd out of 50 states in the recently-released Animal Protection Laws state rankings put together by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Utah state Senator Gene Davis sponsored Henry's Law, which established that neglect and starvation is animal torture.