Animal Cruelty

Defining Animal Cruelty

Acts of animal cruelty can range from subtle neglect to extreme violence. Anyone who has ever viewed an episode of Animal Precinct has seen the wide range of acts that abusive behavior toward animals can cover.

Perhaps a dog only receives food and water a couple of times a week as he slowly grows thinner and weaker. Maybe another dog sits constantly chained to his dog house in the backyard, never receiving the affection and companionship all dogs crave. Do either of these pets ever receive the type of ordinary veterinary care that most responsible pet owners provide? Probably not.

Negligent animal cruelty is more common than you might think. It may not be entirely intentional on the pet owner's part, but rather the result of ignorance about the kind of care pets require.

On the other hand, an act of intentional animal cruelty is hard to deny. Hitting, kicking, dragging, and physically harming pets in any other way falls under the definition of intentional cruelty, and is an offense that is punishable by law.

About Dog Fighting

Dog fighting falls under the realm of intentional animal cruelty. By now, nearly everyone is aware of the growing problem with these underground "sporting events". Dogs are bred and trained to fight each other to the death for the amusement and financial gain of their owner/handlers. The injuries can be quite horrendous, yet participants show little concern for the well being of an animal they have put so much time into raising.

The breed of choice for fighting is the "Pitbull", although Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and German Shepherd Dogs have also been exploited. Both American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terrier bloodlines have been used to create what has come to be known as the "Pitbull type"; a muscular, stocky build, and strong ferocious jaws. Along with these physical characteristics, only dogs with the most dominant personalities have been selected for breeding, eventually resulting in animals with die-hard aggressive qualities who are willing to fight on command.

It's truly a tragedy to see what selective breeding for the least desirable traits can do to any type of dog, and how it has marred the reputations of a number of very fine dog breeds.

Dog fighting is outlawed in all fifty United States, and in many other places around the globe, yet it is still growing in popularity.

Reporting Cruelty and Neglect

Anyone who is reasonably certain they have witnessed an act of animal cruelty should report the offense to their local authorities.

Relevant agencies might include your local:

• Police department
• Dog Warden
• Humane Society
• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
• Game Warden (for acts of cruelty toward animals defined as "wildlife')

To make a stronger case, write down what you have witnessed, and include dates, times, locations, and photos if possible. Without written documentation, and perhaps a corroborating witness, your claims might trigger an investigation, but authorities can only act on the situation they find at the present time, good or bad.

Conclusion

Cruelty to animals can only be stopped if someone cares enough to get involved. While some pet owners simply need to be educated about how to properly care for their pets, others should be legally prevented from ever keeping pets again. Which course of action is best is only for the proper authorities to decide, but nothing can be done unless they are alerted to problem situations.