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I always struggled with this when I was a vet tech. We don't have a mandatory reporting law in our state, or at least we didn't back then. If someone brings in an owned animal that looks undernourished or abused in some fashion, do you report it? Would that stop the owner from seeking medical care in the future, even the bare minimum?
Warning: graphic, terrible story ahead
We had an owner that had a dog with a tumor in its lower jaw. They could have done surgery to remove most of the lower jaw. Sounds extreme, but most dogs who have this done heal well and do fine. They refused- but they also refused to do anything else. They just let the tumor grow. It got to the size of a volley ball and actually dislocated the dog's lower jaw. They brought him in at that point- not for euthanasia, but to have his upper canines pulled so they wouldn't keep puncturing the tumor. The head vet was absolutely horrified and called AC, but we were told they couldn't do anything because technically the owners were seeking veterinary care. Eventually the vet agreed to the surgery in the hopes of alleviating at least some suffering. When the tech tried to remove the first tooth, half the jawbone came with it because the bones were rotting. The head vet, who is typically very much a 'judge not, everyone has their own ideas of what is proper care, etc." called them up and reamed them out for an hour about how they were torturing this poor dog and they finally agreed to euthanasia.
I have spoken up for dogs locked in cars, etc. But I saw many situations like the above, and some were reported, and some weren't. And some the AC did something about, and some they didn't. More often then not, they didn't- and then again you run the risk that the owner will never bring that suffering pet in again. It's tough.
Sorry, as soon as you said graphic terrible story, I moved along. I don't need to read any more tragic stories about animal abuse and cry my eyes out. Sorry.
Sorry, as soon as you said graphic terrible story, I moved along. I don't need to read any more tragic stories about animal abuse and cry my eyes out. Sorry.
Don't apologize, it's completely understandable. There are things I wish I could forget.
But I didn't post it just to tell a terrible story- I guess my point is that we can all speak up individually if we see an animal being abused, but it doesn't help much if the law doesn't punish the behavior. Will that person just leave their dog in their car again next time they go out, or hit their dog later the same evening? How do we affect real change on a local level that discourages such behavior in the first place? Most areas have animal abuse laws, but the reality is that few cases are prosecuted, and those that are typically receive a small fine and a few hours of community service.
Don't apologize, it's completely understandable. There are things I wish I could forget.
But I didn't post it just to tell a terrible story- I guess my point is that we can all speak up individually if we see an animal being abused, but it doesn't help much if the law doesn't punish the behavior. Will that person just leave their dog in their car again next time they go out, or hit their dog later the same evening? How do we affect real change on a local level that discourages such behavior in the first place? Most areas have animal abuse laws, but the reality is that few cases are prosecuted, and those that are typically receive a small fine and a few hours of community service.
Then it is up to all of us to change the laws on a national level. There are so many animal rights groups these days including PETA, that the more noise we make, the sooner things will change. If that means writing your Congressman, President, Govenor and any other local or federal officials, DO IT!
But I didn't post it just to tell a terrible story- I guess my point is that we can all speak up individually if we see an animal being abused, but it doesn't help much if the law doesn't punish the behavior. Will that person just leave their dog in their car again next time they go out, or hit their dog later the same evening? How do we affect real change on a local level that discourages such behavior in the first place? Most areas have animal abuse laws, but the reality is that few cases are prosecuted, and those that are typically receive a small fine and a few hours of community service.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where children are forced to live in appalling conditions because of the lack of funds to support an effective child welfare system.
The criminal justice system is so overrun that people who have admitted to their crimes are waiting many months just for sentencing.
Animal shelters in my area have been forced to shut down or "combine forces" with neighboring shelters due to lack of funds.
"Small time" animal abuse cases simply are not, and can not be at the top of the criminal priority list.
The problem with animal "rights" (as opposed to animal welfare) is that it's a slippery slope. Even without getting into the whole question of how we treat livestock v pets....a chicken is an animal yet most would be horrified to hear about dogs or cats being raised and kept like chickens....even those of you who buy chicken or chicken-flavored treats for your dogs or cats (almost ALL chicken in treats and a lot of the food comes from China, not a nation known for humane treatment of animals.)
First, you have to define abuse. Some people think that using a choke or chain collar on a dog is abuse. Or that using a crate or fencing a dog is abusive and violates its rights. Or that running a dog with a vehicle is abusive - as long as it's done right, I think this makes more sense than forcing a dog to walk unaturally slowly, or never taking it for walks or training it at all - but I know many here would disagree. I think that allowing a pet to become obese is neglect, if not abuse - but it's really common with people who think that they are "spoiling" and "loving" their pets. Even if the animal is so grossly obese it's often or chronically sick, has a shortened lifespan, can't exercise or groom itself, and will probably die prematurely because it's obese - most people don't look at an obese/fat dog or cat and think "oh, that poor thing" but I do.
To ParallelJJ's post above....that is just horrifying. But aren't there laws against not seeking appropriate medical treatment for an animal, in most states?
Here in Michigan, it's OK to bring a sick animal you can't afford to treat, a dog or entire litter of puppies that look like pit bull/bully mixes, or stray and feral cats or kittens to your local Animal Control and have them killed at taxpayer expense. So here, as in many places, animals that are socially unwanted or take up too much taxpayer money to treat, keep and rehome, are allowed to be summarily killed by the state. Holding an owner responsible for non- or mis-treatment of an owned animal seems a little hypocritical, in this instance, IMHO.
To the OP - yes I do and have spoken up or acted if I see mistreatment.
Thanks for those of you who refuse to keep quiet or don't let the social norm keep you from protecting a defenseless animal or child, for that matter. Can't watch those heartbreaking dog commercials that pop up suddenly.
Then it is up to all of us to change the laws on a national level. There are so many animal rights groups these days including PETA, that the more noise we make, the sooner things will change. If that means writing your Congressman, President, Govenor and any other local or federal officials, DO IT!
great idea. If you join Humane Society or ASPCA or a couple other national groups with the amount of money you can afford, you can get on their public policy email advocacy lists. They will let you know what is needed or has come up for voting in each state. Example saving elephants that were being abused in Florida being sent to a sanctuary in Tennessee. Closing of puppy mills in Missouri, etc. etc. You automatically are able to send your help through the internet directly to congressmen/women in all 50 states.
The problem with animal "rights" (as opposed to animal welfare) is that it's a slippery slope. Even without getting into the whole question of how we treat livestock v pets....a chicken is an animal yet most would be horrified to hear about dogs or cats being raised and kept like chickens....even those of you who buy chicken or chicken-flavored treats for your dogs or cats (almost ALL chicken in treats and a lot of the food comes from China, not a nation known for humane treatment of animals.)
First, you have to define abuse. Some people think that using a choke or chain collar on a dog is abuse. Or that using a crate or fencing a dog is abusive and violates its rights. Or that running a dog with a vehicle is abusive - as long as it's done right, I think this makes more sense than forcing a dog to walk unaturally slowly, or never taking it for walks or training it at all - but I know many here would disagree. I think that allowing a pet to become obese is neglect, if not abuse - but it's really common with people who think that they are "spoiling" and "loving" their pets. Even if the animal is so grossly obese it's often or chronically sick, has a shortened lifespan, can't exercise or groom itself, and will probably die prematurely because it's obese - most people don't look at an obese/fat dog or cat and think "oh, that poor thing" but I do.
To ParallelJJ's post above....that is just horrifying. But aren't there laws against not seeking appropriate medical treatment for an animal, in most states?
Here in Michigan, it's OK to bring a sick animal you can't afford to treat, a dog or entire litter of puppies that look like pit bull/bully mixes, or stray and feral cats or kittens to your local Animal Control and have them killed at taxpayer expense. So here, as in many places, animals that are socially unwanted or take up too much taxpayer money to treat, keep and rehome, are allowed to be summarily killed by the state. Holding an owner responsible for non- or mis-treatment of an owned animal seems a little hypocritical, in this instance, IMHO.
To the OP - yes I do and have spoken up or acted if I see mistreatment.
Here's my problem with the slippery slope argument- EVERY law is a slippery slope. Laws seek to control actions, and every law will have people who defend it as necessary or reject is as an intrusion on rights.
There aren't many people who would say that animal abuse should be ignored and that no laws should be passed to punish or prevent it. Yes, the issue is defining abuse, but there are issues with defining child abuse as well. As an ethical society, we still have to face the issue, not ignore it. Outside the United States there are countries were you can be charged with animal abuse for an obese pet, and where crates are much less common. I'm not necessarily saying we should follow that example, but that's their answer to the issue.
There are laws requiring an owner seek medical care in my state, but the AC determined the owners WERE seeking medical care by bringing the dog in to a vet periodically, even if they refused to listen to any advice that was given. They were following the letter of the law if not the spirit, and perhaps another AC would have felt differently.
I agree that it is strange to charge owners with neglect and mistreatment when animal shelters either do the same or worse by killing healthy or treatable pets. But I would propose the solution is not to ignore the mistreatment of owned pets but to change the shelter system. If you are unhappy with the shelter in your area, work to fix it- this often starts with getting new leadership in place.
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