A couple months ago, someone posted information to Shiba-L regarding a convicted animal abuser and a whole conversation followed regarding the way animals are treated right here in the good ol’ USA. Our government may not go around beating dogs, but we certainly have our share of people that think animals are worthless and without feelings.

One of the listers posted the following response and I found it to be so well-spoken that I requested permission to post it here.

In my honest opinion, until everyone learns to respect animals in general, there will never be an answer to this ongoing problem of animal abuse. We are sickened by the actions of the abusers who are caught, wanting to make them pay for what they’ve done, but that doesn’t address those who abuse their own pets daily, both physically and emotionally, while outwardly showing no signs of being an abuser. In some respects, these types of pet owners are bigger offenders, in my opinion, because it can mean a long, painful life for a pet who is actually dying a slow, miserable death daily.

The lucky ones are removed from the situation, but how many aren’t given that opportunity, yet those abusers are allowed to remain in society to abuse as many pets as they want until they’re caught or until their life ends.

In my opinion, education is the only way to overcome this terrible situation we’ve allowed to gone on way too long, and we need to target the children, starting with the very young. How we punish animal abusers, especially those who are undoubtedly mentally disturbed needs to be handled in a way that also educates the public.

I don’t really know if there is one right answer to the horrors that seem to be increasing with regards to animal abuse, but I do believe too many adults lack respect for animals in general, and until this changes we will continue to see cases like this, or possibly even worse. JMO

Carolyn
Portsmouth, NH

(Thanks Carolyn)