Utah Passes 'Biscuit's Bill' to Help Abused Dogs

New law allows dogs seized from abuse to be housed outside of shelters during legal proceedings

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Utah Legislature has passed 'Biscuit's Bill', a new law that allows dogs seized from abusive situations to be sheltered or fostered outside of animal shelters while their owners' legal cases are pending. The bill, named after a dog who spent over 3 years in a shelter, aims to improve the welfare of animals in these situations by providing alternatives to lengthy stays in kennels.

Why it matters

The new law addresses a problem faced by many animal shelters, where seized dogs can languish for months or years in kennels while their owners' cases work through the courts. This can be stressful for the animals and also creates morale issues for shelter staff. By allowing these dogs to be placed in foster homes or other facilities, the law aims to improve their quality of life and chances of eventual adoption.

The details

The revised 'Biscuit's Bill' allows animals involved in abuse cases to be sheltered or fostered at 'any appropriate private or public facility' after reasonable efforts to notify the owner. If the owner gives permission, the animal can be placed with any appropriate individual or organization that demonstrates a willingness to care for the animal. The new caretaker then obtains ownership rights and agrees to provide care and prevent the former owner from interacting with the animal.

  • The bill, HB87, was passed by the Utah Legislature on Friday, February 27, 2026.
  • A previous version of the bill failed in the Utah Senate, leading to a revised version that won unanimous Senate approval on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

The players

Biscuit

A four-year-old dog who spent over 3 years stuck in a Salt Lake County animal shelter after being confiscated from an abusive owner, inspiring the nickname for this bill.

Rep. Verona Mauga

The Democratic representative from Taylorsville who introduced the 'Biscuit's Bill' legislation to create a way to allow dogs confiscated from abuse to be fostered or re-homed outside of shelters.

Sen. Brady Brammer

The Republican senator from Pleasant Grove who initially had concerns about the language of the bill, leading to a revised version being proposed.

Sen. Jen Plumb

The Democratic senator from Salt Lake City who sponsored the revised version of the 'Biscuit's Bill' that ultimately passed.

Ashley Bales

The spokesperson for Salt Lake County Animal Services, who expressed excitement about the passage of the bill.

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What they’re saying

“It gives me a little bit of chills, because it's the right step forward for these animals … that have already started off on not a great foot. So if we can get something passed that helps them move forward and on with their life quicker, it's amazing. It's really cool to see.”

— Ashley Bales, Spokesperson, Salt Lake County Animal Services (Utah News Dispatch)

“To be able to place them elsewhere, even just open up the opportunity for foster homes, it reduces all of that stress. It gives them so much more freedom. Even if there are still constraints around it, it's still such an important step forward for the wellbeing of the animals, for their adoptability later on, and their quality of life. It's huge.”

— Tiffany Schulof, Volunteer, Salt Lake County Animal Shelter (Utah News Dispatch)

What’s next

The bill now heads to Governor Spencer Cox's desk for his signature.

The takeaway

This new law represents a major victory for animal advocates in Utah, who have worked for years to find a solution to the problem of abused dogs languishing in shelters during lengthy legal proceedings. By allowing these animals to be placed in foster homes or other facilities, the state is taking an important step to improve their welfare and chances of eventual adoption.