Preventing Animal Cruelty

ENACTING and then ENFORCING more laws to prevent animal cruelty is the best way to stop cruelty to animals. So far, the laws in place are seldom enforced. Where I live in Texas it is against the law to leave a dog chained up without adequate food, water and shelter. That is the LAW. However, a few months ago we had some really cold weather (I know- Texas cold, but still cold), a news reporter received calls about some dogs chained up outside with no food and water and no shelter. A tree is not adequate shelter do you think? Rain run off into gutters and drains is not adequate water do you think? Leaves and dirt are not an adequate diet do you think? Well the LAW enforcers must have thought so- because nothing was done to this man. NOTHING. The police simply knocked on his door and asked that he provide the basics. According to the news story the next night, nothing had been changed. Subsequent stories in the coming months provided the same information- no change. But if a rescue were to go and "dog-nap" the dogs to save their lives by providing ADEQUATE shelter, food and water, then you just know the rescue would be the one in trouble not the person BREAKING the law in the first place.

We have laws for a reason-enforce them. Stop spending city budget money on decorating offices and use the money to hire another (or in some cities, one) animal cruelty investigators. Provide education and training to animal control officers so that they may in turn go out and spread the knowledge. If you see someone abusing an animal, turn him or her in. Write or call your city council members demanding for stricter enforcement of the laws. Petition to have more laws enacted. If you see a child or children being cruel to an animal, stop them and educate them. Contact their parents. Post notices around your neighborhood. The best way to prevent cruelty to animals is to lead by example.