I was watching the news this morning and this perked me right up.
February 24, 2010 YREKA, Ca. - California legislators are considering creating a registry for animal abusers similar to that for sex offenders. Senate Bill 12-77 would create a statewide registry and tracking system for convicted animal abusers. It would be the first of it's kind in the country, in a state known for its bipartisan support for animal rights. "I think someone needs to stand up for the animals, Just because you own an animal you don't have a right to do what you wanna to... a dog has rights as far as I'm concerned," said Donald Fisher with Siskiyou County Animal Control. The bill would likely be funded by a tax on pet food. Those against the bill say it infringes on privacy rights and may make it difficult for offenders to get a job and housing.
Only speaking for myself, but an abuser is an abuser is an abuser, period! If someone abuses and animal, chances are they will or have abused a child. Abuse in any form needs to be stopped! Why should an abuser have privacy rights? If they were 'macho' enough to do the abusing in the first place, then why should it be a hidden secret? The abuser is the one who did it, then why wouldn't they want it to be known. Don't ya' think they wouldn't care who knows that they abused an animal? Or how about a spouse who beats their wife/husband! Or an adult who beats on a kid! What are they ashamed of!
Yes, today's post I am on my soapbox. Animal abuse/cruelty/neglect is a subject that will get me fired up everytime.
Please, if you see any kind of animal abuse/neglect, please step up and do something. You might be the one who saves a life!
Until next time..................................
Sorry, but the segment on the news this morning really wound me up.
Day to day goings on here at the farm. Everything from weather to horses and donkeys to chickens to cats and dogs and everything in between. Some blogs will be informative. While others will be I hope, just entertaining and keep you coming back. And of course there will be pictures.
For anyone who abuses an animal, I think s/he should get the chair, and I'll be the one to flip the switch. I stay wound up!
ReplyDeleteWow that is great news! And I am right with you on everything you said about abusers, people who abuse animals rarely stop there.
ReplyDelete"I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs... [they] are an obligation put on us, a responsibility we have no right to neglect, nor to violate by cruelty." - James Herriot, English Veterinarian and Author
Joanna-- Amen Sister!!
ReplyDeleteMe (Tina)- I love James Herriot. Have read all of his books. They are fantastic. There is no excuse for abuse!
I agree as well---abuse of anything--human or animal needs to be stopped and tracking the offenders is a good start. What scares me about many people is their apathy and often blatant opinion that animals are 'just animals' and from that they treat them as trash. This in their minds makes it okay to kick, starve, dump, mistreat any animal. "It's just an animal, whats the big deal". Makes my blood boil..and sadly it's rarely possible to change this mindset. My thoughts are we are all God's creatures and we have been charged with being good stewards of this land and all that inhabit it! No excuses!
ReplyDeleteTammy
I live in a rural county, and volunteer with law enforcement. We have a group that works on cases of animal abuse, called the Livestock Investigation Team (LIT). (Even though it says 'livestock', they work with cats and dogs and such, as well...) You don't know how much this hurts, as to see the deputies coming in either so furious they can hardly speak, or alternately so sad they look like they are going to break down and bawl, because of what they have to deal with.
ReplyDeleteEven our Sheriff looked like he wanted to pound something, then had to go on TV and explain what the laws were about it. (Some, but not enough, IMHO.) So, if they can make it so the abusers do time, and lots of it, YES, I feel you are right on target.
I totally support the idea!!! And I completely agree with each of you!!
ReplyDeleteMy only question becomes, and this comes from a current possible situation we are dealing with in our county now.... there must be provisions to protect those who are faulsly accused.
For example, one person has been turned in, should be a done deal. This person holds a position of authority within the community... they are at this point, above the law. Wrong? Of course! But its a small town. If we turn in this person with laws like this... out of vengence they will turn us in with NO grounds. Our name will be dragged through the mud at the VERY least. Trust me when I say, never under estimate the power of your enemy! It can be ugly and sometimes very dangerous.
So we do all we can to help those that are "on the line" with this person. In fact, just this morning I had a nasty phone call filled with threats and foul language because of helping those "on the line"...
Therefore, I am in complete support of a bill like this; as long as there are provisions to protect those who use it.
Tammy-So true are your words. Thank goodness there are more good people in this world who outweigh the bad.
ReplyDeleteCat--You know only to well what it is like on the front lines. Our police officers hands are tied. It is up to the judges to hand down the sentences. And up to us the people to scream what we want until we get it! Hugs.
Bonnie-my 'sister'. I know exactly what you mean. I believe that is the main reason why more people don't stand up and say anything for fear of retribution. It does seems as if the guilty/convicted get away with whatever they want. Sad. Sad. Sad. xoxo hugs But as I know you believe, good does prevail in the end.