Animal cruelty cases

[jglass38]

As I was on the way home, I read two stories from the NY Post.

One was a man who in a fit of rage, smashed his stepson's fish tank into the wall and then decided to stomp on the boy's goldfish killing it instantly. The appeals court just upheld the judge's sentencing of 2 years in prison for felony animal abuse. His attorney's argument was that fish are a lesser pet than companion animals because "if you set it loose in a pond, it would swim away and never think twice".

The second was a man who is being brought up on animal cruelty charges for locking his 4 year old dog in a closet without food and water and leaving to go on vacation to Disney with his daughter. The dog died from dehydration/starvation. He was arrested as soon as he got home from his vacation.

While these stories disgust me, it is good to see that animal cruelty is finally being taken seriously. I don't believe the penalties are quite harsh enough. Animal abusers are the worst kind of offenders in my opinion.

[gmmuscle91]

I greatly despise people who would do that. One of the shows i love to watch are the animal cops shows. they are interesting and sad at the same time.

[MedusasOwl]

With you all the way, Jamie.

I know someone in Georgia who recently told me about a friend's dad shooting his daughter's cats for sport... and noone is doing anything about it because there's no ASPCA or anything out there and the animals are just considered property like a stick of furniture instead of living things... it's appalling. For the animals *and* the traumatized kids who's pets they are...

It's one of those things I cannot and would not even want to ever understand. I just can't comprehend deliberately torturing another living thing like that for fun... it turns my stomach.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

my friends brother used to slam dunk chickens through the basketball hoop
and he put the rabbit in the dryer.

some people are just idiots..


I do wonder at the law where we would put a man in jail for 2 years for murdering a gold fish.... it was a quick and painless death Im guessing.... quicker and more painless than when we catch a fish, and then cook it for dinner

dunno, I just think there should be a line drawn.... I wouldnt consider swatting a fly in your house animal cruelty.... or shooting a deer for food.... or giving a live rat to a snake to eat ...

hrm

[The Cannibal Monkey]

I have to agree about the fish....it sounds cruel, but how much can you torture an animal with a 3 second memory? And just like everything else involved with law, it comes down to the individual situations...the law is flexible for a reason, so the people can mold it to reflect the opinions and values of the time (IDEALLY). I DO think that there needs to be stricter punishments for abusing animals that have been domesticated for who knows how long (like dogs, obviously) just because I feel they've earned it; it's just downright disrespectful to treat an animal that only lives to please you, and has been for thousands of years, like a piece of property. And if these stricter punishments extend to other, less "domesticated" animals, so much the better. Anyway, sorry for the long post, like everyone here I have strong feelings on the subject =P

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I have to agree about the fish....it sounds cruel, but how much can you torture an animal with a 3 second memory? And just like everything else involved with law, it comes down to the individual situations...the law is flexible for a reason, so the people can mold it to reflect the opinions and values of the time (IDEALLY). I DO think that there needs to be stricter punishments for abusing animals that have been domesticated for who knows how long (like dogs, obviously) just because I feel they've earned it; it's just downright disrespectful to treat an animal that only lives to please you, and has been for thousands of years, like a piece of property. And if these stricter punishments extend to other, less "domesticated" animals, so much the better. Anyway, sorry for the long post, like everyone here I have strong feelings on the subject =P

Have you watched mythbusters? They have a longer memory than that!

[MedusasOwl]

I think the fish thing was more than animal cruelty, that was psychological child abuse as well. Smashing the aquarium then stomping a child's pet fish to death right in front of him? 2 years doesn't sound unreasonable to me.

If it's not food, an accident, or self defense (gnat/mite/ant/tick killings count as defending my home from intruders in my book) then it's just not okay.

[sweety314]

Here, here! Mental and emotional abuses are even harder to prove, unless the victim goes postal.


We're supposed to be stewards and CARE for the animals, not destroy them. It's really sad that ppl are sick that way.

[frankykeno]

Sheree's point is well made. The goldfish in that case was killed not so much for the sake of killing a fish but obviously in a fit of rage directed at abusing not only the fish but the child who owned it. Animal cruelty is a red flag for a number of psychological issues/criminal activities that are far more serious (not that animal abuse is not serious in and of itself). It is not something society should take lightly.

[wolfy-hound]

Yes, Mythbusters busted the idea that they have a 3 second memory.. that said.
There is no justication for stomping to death any animal just because you are mad. No even a humble goldfish. If it had been a kitten everyone would be up in arms, even if the kitten died instantly.
As for the shooting of the cats, if there is no local authority, call the feds. There is provisions for areas like that. Look in the federal section of your phone book and see what looks appropiate, even if you can't get any help, at least you will have done ALL that you could, and you yourself will feel better that you tried everything. Sometimes things happen around us that we cannot help, but we try, if nothing else we sorrow at the needless cruelty, as you obviously do.
How many people would think nothing of crushing a snake under their foot? And if it happens to be your pet, how would you suffer as a result? Terribly, I am sure all of us would agree. That child most likely will NEVER forget that moment of horror, and the sentance is all too leniant, viewed in that light. He should have also been charged with emotional abuse of his child.
I have fish, that have personalites, yeah, they are not too bright.. but I don't abuse them just because they are not smart.
I love my critters, like all of us here. And I am glad to see that we all try our best to help protect them.
Wolfy(sorry for long post)