Ferrets are not protected or pet rabbits?!?!? 
http://origin.denverpost.com/news/ci_5680397Animal protections pass House
By Jennifer Brown
Denver Post Staff Writer
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated:04/16/2007 05:25:26 PM MDT
Dog owners whose animals attack or kill someone's pet could face criminal charges under a proposal advanced today by the House.
The legislation - aimed at putting more teeth into animal-cruelty laws - also would make bestiality a crime and force animal abusers to submit DNA samples for a criminal database.
After an objection from ranchers, lawmakers struck a provision that would have banned dogs from riding unrestrained in the back of pickup trucks.
They also eliminated a proposal to add rabbits and ferrets to the list of domestic animals protected under the law.
"A special thank you from my dog, Buzz, who loves to chase rabbits," said House Minority Leader Mike May of Parker. "He says, 'Woof-woof.' "
Rep. Debbie Stafford, R-Aurora, said district attorneys asked her to run the bill because Colorado law isn't tough enough on animal abusers.
"They would get to court, and they would hit a brick wall," she said.
Prosectors have tried to charge people for having sex with an animal, but current law is silent on that subject, Stafford said.
House Bill 1235 also would let people include pets under protective orders in domestic-violence cases. And prosecutors could charge pet owners with a petty offense if their animal destroyed someone else's property.
The bill passed on a voice vote and will get a final vote as early as today. The measure then goes to the Senate.
Also today, Gov. Bill Ritter signed a new law regulating pet physical therapy.
House Bill 1126 says animal physical therapists must have consent from a veterinarian.
