Legal Beagles: Do Animals Need Lawyers?
April 14, 2010 by Kathy McManus
A recent Swiss vote to decide if abused pets and farm animals should be represented by attorneys had citizens rethinking the rules of responsibility between man and beast. Writing in Time magazine, Helena Bachmann reported that proponents of increased animal protection contend animals need lawyers because “the current laws dealing with animal abuse aren’t strong enough to secure convictions against those (people) suspected of cruelty.”
Switzerland is “rapidly emerging as the European champion of animal rights,” says London’s Sunday Times. Under current Swiss law, “goldfish, canaries, and guinea pigs are considered ‘social animals’” and shouldn’t be left alone. “[Being left alone] ignores the animals’ needs as a species, such as having a companion,” says Antoine Goetschel, Zurich’s official “Lawyer for animal welfare in criminal matters,” the only such government lawyer in the country.
The proposed new law — which would have mandated an animal rights attorney for every one of Switzerland’s 26 state-like cantons — ultimately failed to win approval from voters, including opposition groups of farmers’ associations and pet breeders. “Animal rights advocates are useless to animals,” an opposition committee declared. “They can’t prevent animal abuse because they only get involved after it has been perpetrated.”
Should animals have lawyers to better protect them from humans?
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355 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
April 16, 2010 by Hmf
I do believe animals need greater protection from humans. Domesticated pets and farm animals definitely need greater protection. Not just in the form of punishment. But also in the form of measures designed to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. I also approve of the idea of social pets not being kept in isolation. Measures should also be in place for when a pet dies as a result of negligence - such as when the pet food companies killed thousands of pets as a result of tainted food and got away with it without so much as a slap on the hand. Made me sick. Ocean mammals such as Killer Whales and Dolphins are forced to perform show after show all day and kept cut-off from the natural social structure of a pod is cruel. There is also the issue of the all too often cruel and inhumane measures that circus animals are subject to from training to daily treatment. All for human entertainment. How can our entertainment justify such abuse? I'm disappointed the law didn't pass in Sweden. It could have been the starting point for the re-evaluation of animal rights. People who are capable of cruelty and abuse to animals makes me question just what else that person is capable of doing - to other humans.
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April 25, 2010 by SABINA MIDJICH
THIS IS SO TRUE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN EFECT A LONG TIME AGO. ANIMALS NEED HELP FROM HUMANS AND BETTER STILL NOT BE IN CONTACT WITH HUMANS. THEY ARE POISON!
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April 27, 2010 by Cheryl Pannasch
I have a neighbor haha who says my dog bite him but I never saw it the police officer never saw it and he has a bull dog bit bull mix how do I know its not his own dog. Any addvice my dog is in qurintine. Please help
April 28, 2010 by devon elliott
i know right. its not fair for them to get hurt or killed
June 23, 2010 by neal baker
I do love cats and myself, my wife and a friend watched a lady take her 2 boxer's from the cage and put chains on the dogs. The lady gave the dog's to her 5 year old boy to attack my kitten's that wondered in her yard. This made me sick. One of the kitten's is hurt. Is there any type of action that I can take on this matter? Thank You. Neal Baker
November 4, 2010 by tiffany
i feel your right i just moved to maryland recently and just began school here. the kids don't realize how much killing animals can effect a person. they talk about hunting all the time, wear clothing that expresses cruelity to wild animals and the sad part is that they don't even respect another's feeling torwards hunting i'm totally against it and it is something that i have to deal with.
February 2, 2011 by Abaigeal Foster
hola
February 21, 2011 by dianna
animals deserve rights just like humans like they say they are mans best friends they should be treated good an not be harmed an abused they feel the pain and suffer from it
April 25, 2011 by Savannah
wow girl please don't use all CAPS
April 26, 2011 by Savannah Gertsch
You should not be writing on here if you want to talk
May 4, 2011 by megan
For the comment bellow asking what he should do to save his dog, dending on how much you love the dog you can go to court to see if they will release him upon not having substancal evidence against your dog therefore they cannot procicute your dog, or kill him for that matter, you dont need a lawyer if you know how to talk, example if they ask if you saw the matter, say no, you can also check the teeth marks, your neighbor can just be looking for a law suit
October 21, 2011 by kc loves animals
people should do more to protect animals and they should get into an animal rights gorup.
May 4, 2010 by momo
your point is valid and a good one at that but as you said about the peform point to me i think that if an water mammal can not go back to the wild and likes what it dose then i think that its ok but if a water mammal can go to the wild or just got capsherd to preform then i think the people that do that are a wast of space on ouer all ready over populatid earth.
and im sorry i cant spell varry well
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December 22, 2010 by Katie
I would like to stop animal abuse as well! ITS NOT FAIR at all.why should the animals take peoples anger I'll kill to save an animal there has to be something we can do.
February 4, 2011 by kathryn
Learn then!
February 4, 2011 by Kathryn
What did you just say??????????????????
February 8, 2011 by cherylpearson@live.com
YES I V READ SOME WHAT EVERY HAS POSTED.I BACK ALL OF EVERY THING YOU ALL SAY. I HAVE A CAT THAT HAS A BAD EARE BUT JUST TO WALK THROUHG THE DORE IS ALL MOST 100 $ WHAT CAN I DO, IT ALL A BOUT MONEY NOT THE PETS ANY MORE.THATS JUST SIKNING,THAT ONE PERSON IS RIGHT WE ARE POISIN.& THE DOG BIT BEAN THERE DUN THAT , LOST MY DOGFOR ALL MOST THE SAME THING,HE BIT A JOGER THAT HAD CLUB IN HER HAN ,HE BIT HERE BUT NO BLOOD,SHE HAD ON SNOW WHITE SHORTS 2 NO RED AT ALL ,AND SHE HAS A DOG,IT BARKS IN HERE BACK YEARD ALL THE TIME ,ALL THEY DO IS TILL IT 2 SHUT UP.THEY NEVER WALK IT.HUMENS SUK.ANIMALS ARE COOLL.
October 9, 2011 by Tink
Low income families birth control? If u can't afford it yourselves then don't have sex, plain and simple. The same gies for animals. People make me sick when there in no position financially to own an animal. Your the ones hurting the animal if u can't pay the vet bills. Instead of speaking out against animal cruelty, stop being the one neglecting them because your broke. The same gies for the person who left there dogs over the weekend. Anyone I k ow would have been there as soon as the dogs were found, and would have made damn sure they never escaped. If you can't handle the responsibility, then your just as bad as the people beating there animals. Neglect is abuse to friend.
May 9, 2010 by Alayna Schooley
this animal crulety crp is terrible! I hate everyone who does it!
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July 9, 2010 by Mark
I am for animal welfare not for animal rights......I have one point to make...If you allow an animal to have an attorney...who in their right mind would own one? What you are really fighting for here is Animals to be homeless which is exactly what will happen.. When the Mandatory spay neuter laws are passed everyone who cannot afford to have it done drops their dogs off at the shelter... You people really need to think things through before jumping on the boat.."What is best for the Animals"...Not what you would like to see happen, there is a happy medium.....there are plenty of laws on the book to protect, to prosecute and to handle any animal case if need be... You just have to make sure the laws are inforced.
September 18, 2010 by nancy
Are you kidding me? Have you volunteered at a shelter? If so you might become more open minded and know what you are writing about!
THink about it!
April 17, 2011 by IRIS SOMERTON-JONES
Yes we all should start giving animals respect and not treat them as if they have no feeling.An animal is capable of more love than humans are able to give.The selfish human being is plain evil.
November 2, 2011 by Josephine
I agree about your point for "animal welfare, not animal rights". I don't think animals need "rights" really, but they should not be abused. When you say "rights" its like saying the animals are as superior as humans, but they are one step below us. I am not saying that animals shouldn't be treated fairly and not abused, I'm just saying that people should be more worried about animal WELFARE more than animal RIGHTS. By the way, You people who are saying you hate humans, you people who say humans are the poison, guess what? You are saying bad things about your own kind. Not ALL humans are cruel to animals. Believe me, I am an animal lover. I have a dog and a kitten. I love them and I would protect them as long as I can, but if it comes down to life and death between a person or animal, I would kill the animal instead of the person. I am woriking on an animal cruelty project for a National History Day fair. If you have any advise or info, please tell me?
December 13, 2011 by Marie
I am commenting on the comment that "Tink" made about people that can't afford to bring their animals to the vet shouldn't own them. You really don't live in reality, do you? If only people with money were allowed to own animals there would be alot more homeless animals. Just because you can't bring your animal to the doctor everytime it sneezes doesn't mean you don't take good care of it. That is a very narrow-minded way of looking at the world!
May 13, 2010 by rachel pickerell
yea animals need more respect from humans and not just getting betion every day or more they to fight becoues animals need more to have then getting killed by people or there own owners....... :( sad for the animals... :(
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July 25, 2010 by LYNN
I think that animals do need to have an attorney on their side to assist in the stopping animal cruelty. By working to prevent animal cruelty animals in this world can have a better life. There are some dogs out in the world right now with an owner who is using the dogs for fighting which is illegal to begin with. People should respect the animals that they have I have seen the worst ever and I don't wish to see it again any time soon. If a person would look back in history cats use to be worshipped in Egypt. Why would someone want to hurt an animal which is down right mean what did the animal do. I have ten of my own animals each and everyone of them are happy and healthy and will stay that way with me. People who like to hurt animals should be locked up behind bars this is only my opinion on the matter. Why would anyone want to starve an animal I have seen this to and the only reason the person can come up with is that the dog belongs to their son and that they should not have to take care of it and to that action they are wrong for not taking care of an animal left in your care can land you in jail under a felony. I know this for I am always on animal planet. I like the way the ASPCA is working to get rid of animal cruelty in the world by showing people that it will not be tolerated.
August 23, 2010 by lauren
your rite aniamals are like people they have felings like us. they shouldn't be beaten or left on the street . they shoud be loved and cared for so lets make a a chaghe
October 27, 2010 by Vasudev Das
I don't see anything wrong in fighting for animal rights and protection. I only had thought it wise that those of us who are striving to protect animals from being abused by humans should never fall into the category of meat eaters, otherwise, we could easily be branded as hypocrites. I tend to think that those who profess to love animals by keeping pets ought not to help in consuming meat. Any thought on this?
November 18, 2010 by ME!!
yea ppl are really mean to animals and have NO respect for them i cant belive it. if they dont pass a law very soon that animal abuse should be banned then i will be very mad and ive seen shows and shows on ppl getting arrested for that but in real life ive seen police do NOTHING even when there standing right there!i cant belive the cruel thing they do to animals(including slotter houses, and or factorys making fur coats u can watch vidios on that and the fotage is BERY cruel tho.
December 21, 2010 by Lori Cenicola
the law states, food, water and shelter.. but what about human companionship? what about exercise? what about the love? i have a neighbor who feeds his dog, but not enough, the dog is soo skinny, he has a dog house, but what about in the freezing temps? or the heat? doesn't matter, and he has a 5 gallon bucket of water.. animal control says, food shelter water, thier hands are tied.. this poor dog barks all the time.. ALL THE TIME.. i feel so sorry for him, and the barking is so annoying.. we need the laws to change, to be flexible each case is unique.. how do we change them!!! anyone? please, email me w/ answers.. we owe it to these helpless dogs.. if you've ever driven past a home w/ a dog outside, and wondered why do those people even have a dog? that's the dogs' we need to help..
February 4, 2011 by Kathryn
Honey..................Take grammar and someone just might take you seriously!
May 24, 2011 by cric
You no mabe if people learned a little bit more respect then they wouldnt treat animals that way
May 14, 2010 by RITA
i think all animals have a right to have proteceion just as much as humans.are more so because they cant talk to tell how there being treated !!! and i think there one of the lords creations. the same as eany thing elese is !!
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May 25, 2010 by jake
Amen
June 24, 2010 by cheyenne
AMEN!
December 22, 2010 by katie
we have to do something about this. those wackos out there who hurt and or kill any kind of animal even if they dont like the animal.all we are doing is sitting on our butts and chatting online we need to do more than that we have to make a change because every second of the day an animal is getting hurt and or killed.
February 6, 2011 by Summer
I think someone should try and do something so who cares if the people that protest might be kids at least they are trying something!
March 29, 2011 by sarah visicaro
I love animals. i have 2 dogs and 6 gerbils! my best friends are my world. i wish people would be more kind to THEIR best friends!
January 30, 2012 by Ari
Amen to that!!! God did put amimals on earth for a reason and its NOT for humans to destroy!!
July 25, 2010 by ingrid weaver
absoutely true, there should be stiffer laws agains all types of animal cruelty.
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March 29, 2011 by flor avalos
i have 4595 dogs 4985789girbels AND I HAVEO950984595353975835739577395 CATS I LOVE THEM THEY ARE MY BEST FRIENDS AND I ALSO HAVE I7846484678347835738573878357837E6CATS
November 2, 2011 by Josephine
Are you trying to make a joke or being sarcastic about the number of pets you have? Honestly this is no joking matter. This is a serious problem taking place all over the world. I don't think animals should have "rights" I believe there should be a FIRM "Animal Welfare Law" I think people should be more worried about the animals *welfare* more then giving the animals "rights". By giving animals rights you are saying that animals are as superior as humans. They aren't. Plain and simple. They aren't as intelligent as humans. They are instinctive and can, if threatened or feel threatened, be dangerous and unpredictable. Don't get me wrong, I love animals and I think they should be treated better, but I don't think they need "rights". I am doign a project at school about "animal cruelty". If you have any information, advise, or questions, please ask/tell?
August 19, 2010 by Louise Burkart
I agree whole heartedly that humans need to be restrained and punished when they perform acts of cruelty or abusiveness to animals. It so hard to understand how humans can justify the killing of animals because they are "a nuisance" as the Canadian geese are; or the wolves are shot from airplanes because they might attack a cow. It goes on and on. Having wildlife in this world as well as our beloved four legged family members, keep us sane in a world gone mad with greed, corruption and the ego traps of wanting what we want and wanting it NOW. The animals teach us to appreciate the now and love unconditionally. Can you just imagine a world without them? It would be a sad world indeed. Besides it just is wrong to treat other living creatures as if they have no right to their own lives.
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August 30, 2010 by vladimir tarlo
Animals need lawyers. Animals do not have money to pay greedy lawyers.
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November 2, 2011 by Josephine
How can animals be given lawyers? Lawyers, in order to do their job, must communicate with the client. How can a lawyer communicate with an animal? I think that if people really love their pets and want to defend them, then they should do everything they can to defend the animal themselves. Who wants to pay someone to pretend to love and care for the animal they are supposed to be defending? Who wants to pay someone to defend the pet when the owner is supposed to protect and defend the animal in the first place. Animals need an "Animal Welfare Law" Not an "Animal Rights Document" like the Bill of Rights or the constitution. Were you people expecting the government to write a "Bill of Rights for Animals"? No, the government wouldn't do that because they know that animals aren't as superior as humans and they also don't want to go through the long law making process just to make some animals more comfortable or safe. Also, they don't want to risk a riot or petition between people who want animal rights and people who don't believe in animal rights/welfare. I know anyone that reads this is most likely thinking that I don't care about animals, that's not true. I am just thinking about this logically. And logically there isn't any point in paying a lawyer thousands of dollars to defend an animal. Also, logically you have to think about the consequences of giving animals rights.
I am working on an animal cruelty project in school. If anyone has advise, information, or questions, please let me know?
Don't leave me rude comments when I am only sharing my oppinion and trying to explain my logic. Not to mention this is a public site and anyone can read it or leave a comment.
September 23, 2010 by Becky
I'm all for animals having legal representation; they need a 'voice' acting on they're behalf so that they can be heard!
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December 22, 2010 by katie
I totally agree with you they need a voice
March 6, 2011 by celena smith
I own a bluefawn pit he his three years old an he is almost always with me. my neibors boys are allways taunghting him trying to run over him on four wheeler. my dog bite the the boy one afternoon when they all got off the bus i never herd the boy yell. my oldest child said fiftie snaped at other boy. anyways animal control came took my dog even though the boy was in my yard when this happened an i do have beware of dogs posted. they showed me pictures of the bite it didnt look like it broke the skin.I gave them his vet records an every thing is up todate. so i went next moring paid 35bucks to get my dog back an they said if they had to pick him up again that he would be put to sleep. I put him on his runner an was gather supplys to build him a lot. while i was gone some one let him off the runner his collar was unbuckled. an still hooked to claps on runner. I have spent all day building a lot for him. i dont want my dog put to sleep i love him just as he was one of my kids. he is also a form off protection an security for me ,being a single mother of two children. I just feel safer with him around he has never snaped at my boys an they are very rough with him at times the yungest one even rides him like a horse. what do i do to keep my bestfriend from being put down an keep from haveing to pay monie i dont really have to bail him out. my mother lives 75feet behind me his runner is between her house an mine she also depends on him for a gaurd dog she says if he is barking its for good reason, an she looks out for him also.
September 29, 2010 by s sureck
Any human who tortures or mistreats or neglects an animal causing pain and suffering, dismemberment and/or death, participates in authorized or un-authorized research, with or without federal funding, withholds food & water and/or medical care is guilty of animal cruelty, an offense punishable to the absolute maximum permitted by law.
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February 16, 2011 by morgan
that is so true... its wrong! and should be a law that is taken serious!
November 3, 2010 by allie
i think this is a great
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November 20, 2010 by CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL JAHNES
I So AGREE WITH WHAT YOR SAYING.
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March 1, 2011 by Behn Dover
I a 65 year old man and my wife past away 3 years ago. Ever since i have been helping to stop animal abuse because the only thing that got me through my wifes death was my 3 cats: bill bob and bo. i think that it is down right terrible what people do to animals and i truely thing that animals have healing powers and thats how i go through my depression 3 years ago. Thank the lord for animals and God Bless!
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March 8, 2011 by holly
This dogs should have a voice to. Dont you! Anyways would you like it if we abused you. Put you out on a leash without water or food heck no. God put them on this earth so we could love them. He did not put them on this earth o we could kill them. There has been so much i wish i colud buy all the animals and take car of them. I think people that abuse there animals should be in jail.
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March 28, 2011 by brenton
I know right
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April 25, 2011 by Justin Kubeja
I feel everyone should do something they believe in. Animal rights and protection is something I am VERY interested in and I am trying to become much more involved with. I often donate to different organizations however I want to do more. If anyone has some advice on steps to do such your ideas are welcome. With all the destruction to this planet and treating animals with such a lack of repect and dignety I want to help bring awareness and make a difference. Please share your thoughts on how I can do so.Thanks.
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May 9, 2011 by Sabrina
Some peole need to be protected more than animals but it could be the other way around!!!!!!!
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May 16, 2011 by Margrett
Yes animals do need lawyers. They need help from abusers and also from over zealous Animal Shelters and SPCA officers. They are called to do a job I understand, but I feel that they can also go overboard. I myself am so tried of being considered a hoarder and having a mental illness. If an animal comes to your home starved and in need of help what do you do? I would never turn any animal away. Neither would I call the local ANIMAL SHELTER because their policy is to keep an animal for three (3) days and then put it down if it is not adopted. Some dogs such as pits, chows, shar paies and rotties are auotmaticly put down if not claimed by its owner. Who made certain people able to determine how many animals a person may own if they can take care of them? Why is their policy to just go in and remove pets and stress them out more and not offer help to the pet owner. There has to be sometime done about the abuse of power these people (Animal Shelters and SPCA OFFICERS) have. They cannot continue to be allowed to just do what ever they want to do. I would condone animal abuse , but neither sould these organiazation be allowed to abuse their power.
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June 7, 2011 by aria morgan
I personaly think if you can barely take care of your self then you cant take care of an animal. In this case no one is not capable of the selves dont need another to take care of.
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October 21, 2011 by kc loves animals
i agree with you diana but remember that dogs are man's best friend not any other animal but i really do agree with you
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April 16, 2010 by hmf
I do believe animals need greater protection from humans. Domesticated pets and farm animals definitely need greater protection. Not just in the form of punishment. But also in the form of measures designed to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. Measures should also be in place for when a pet dies as a result of negligence. Examples would be when the pet food companies killed thousands of pets as a result of tainted food and when a Veterinarian wiped out an entire stable of polo ponies because he overdosed them. Performing animals such as Killer Whales and Dolphins, as well as circus animals are in even greater need of protection. How can our entertainment justify such abuse? I'm disappointed the law didn't pass in Sweden. It could have been the starting point for the re-evaluation of animal rights. People who are capable of cruelty and abuse to animals makes me question just what else that person is capable of doing - to other humans
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June 10, 2010 by Rima Blond
Conditions on factory farms are just too horrible for words. There are videos all over the internet depicting the cruel and inhumane treatment that these poor animals are subjected to daily. Males being castrated while fully conscious, confinement in extremely small areas, babies taken from their mothers at birth, animals slaughtered while still alive, and the list goes on. Animals absolutely need legal representation. They do not have a voice and desperately need someone to scream for them.
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August 12, 2010 by Denise
very true, i've been screaming for a few animals going on two years, but where i live we have no law for animals nobody cares what happens , when someone poisons or hit an animal the law has to see it happen then think about doing something about it,i 've seen animals going hungry left alone for days without food or water, the owners hitting them with boards or what ever they grab.. nobody will listen to me. they think i make it up or something, but 6 people seen them hit one animal, when my friend screamed out IS HE HITTING THAT ANIMAL WITH A BOARD? the guy stopped, but the law here will never do anything to these people i could say more that they did, but i can't prove it...we need help for the animals.
July 13, 2010 by allanimals
God gave man free will, he just didn't expect man to use it to destroy his creations.
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September 20, 2010 by beca bool
YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!! THE INDIVIDUALS WHOM ABUSE ANIMALS...,.. "IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, IN WHICH, THEY WILL DO THE SAME; TO HUMANS. THEIR BEHAVIOR EXHIBITS THAT OF A MURDERER THAT ENJOYS WATCHING THEIR VICTIM SUFFER!!!! EX1:/ MICHAEL VIC
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August 18, 2011 by Dawn M. Goodman
You do not know how right you are the person who abuses pets, will eventually abuse people to. Research of domestic abuse has revealed that many men who batter women, also abuse their children, their pets, and their elderly family member(s). Like rape domestic abuse is about the man wanting control and power over everyone in his household. Many abusive men start out physically abusing their pets, or their children, before they abuse their wife. Dawn M. Goodman
August 18, 2011 by Dawn M. Goodman
You do not know how right you are the person who abuses pets, will eventually abuse people to. Research of domestic abuse has revealed that many men who batter women, also abuse their children, their pets, and their elderly family member(s). Like rape domestic abuse is about the man wanting control and power over everyone in his household. Many abusive men start out physically abusing their pets, or their children, before they abuse their wife. Dawn M. Goodman
November 15, 2011 by TARA
I AM OUTRAGED at the Iowa case, those men,that so brutily beat the hell, out cows, the calfs ,with a crow bar, THE MERCEY FOR ANIMALS UNDER COVERSTORY. THE ABUSE MUST STOP NOW FACTORY FARMED, PORK IM GETTING INVOLVED I WANT ACTION NOW. COME on people stop talking and call your leislators ps if GOD toured factory farm what do you think ,think he would say and do!!! mad as hell
April 16, 2010 by Megan
I love animals but human rights come before animal rights. There are so many helpless children being abused in our own country and they don't have people representing them and taking them from these unstable environments. I don't see why we would put efforts towards animals before children!
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April 20, 2010 by david haylon
humans are cruel and sadistic scum who will torture for pleasure but they will get their punishment when they are reincarnated as an animal. karma is real
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April 24, 2010 by alice noriega
Karma will take care of all those who abuse our animals............................here on earth or the day they leave this earth, I have seen many get pay back's right hear some times it take's years, somtimes it take only a few month's and there suffering is a long painful one too!
I am tired of the Animal Control Services not doing there job, I do not condone all Animal Control Services......................but what good are they if the do not complete there investigations??
Thank you
May 5, 2010 by Betty
What about those that would run down an animal in the road or on the side of the road just in the attempt to profit from it or for fun? I had two mini ponies that someone ran down after they were spooked from their pasture, along with a full-sized horse. they were all three hit and the two ponies were killed! the horse was injured and required surgery. does anyone know how i can get an investigation done on this murder? no one seems to care (including the Animal Control) just because "they were only animals"! to me they were family! and i want to know what happened because the driver's version does not add up to the scene. how can you hit over 1700 lbs. of horse in one spot and then go 200 ft and hit another 700 lbs of horse and send the second one flying into a thicket 15 ft from the road? please someone tell me something!
May 15, 2010 by zoey
well you have to look at it like this humans know how to think and people are just to lazy to use protection. animals cannt speak they cant get themselves fixed. so yes while there are many starving kids, and i know that its not thier fault that they are in the situation they are in,but its time that the adults in this world grow up and take responsibility. you say that there is no programs for them yet there are plenty such as wic, ebt, and food stamps. so i think that instead of saying that humans are more important than animals you should say something about the "Adults" that cant take the time to stop and think about thier responsibilitys.
June 16, 2010 by lindy
I totally agree to that AMEN! karma does bite hard to!
February 4, 2011 by Kathryn
Your parents must be so proud.
April 27, 2010 by heidi
you are the only person a can agree with. T love animals also, but people have to come first. Check out the money these people make who steel the dogs from other people in order to get a big adoption sum to pay there wages. it is all on the net. This is nothing but moey. They made them self a job. Check out the boycut they have on the Humansoceity . They made $ 1.30000 from rescuing pitbulls and kept the money. Not even dogfood for the forstermom. What a sham.
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April 30, 2010 by S.
Many, many studies have shown that those who abuse helpless animals are "practicing" for when they take the next step and continue on to abuse humans (especially helpless children!). If we could stop and monitor more people when they've done violence to animals, there probably wouldn't be nearly as many children in dire situations!
Also, I don't know which country you're talking about, but most modernized countries I've ever heard of has some sort of Children's Aid program in place, but if people don't report cases of child abuse nothing can be done for those kids.
If you see a suspicious situation involving animal or child abuse, and are worried about your name being disclosed to the abuser, find a way to make an anonymous complaint. Do anything you can, folks.... it's our world and we can only make it better by taking action whenever and however we can!
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January 4, 2011 by asia
amen
May 3, 2010 by Diana
nobody is saying who should have more rights or not!!! the issue here are animals that are abuse day and night by stupid heartless people!! you can fight for stronger lwas for children im sure we all can but that doesnt mean we shouldnt care about the beautiful and helpless animals!!
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June 24, 2010 by cheyenne
i think them rescuing the animals is great , but the thought of the shelter fils up the animal that got saved got uthinsied
May 4, 2010 by Madison Yerdon
Ok I am with you on that but.... Some dogs and other animals save live to
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April 23, 2011 by teresa
i have 2 dogs and20 some cats half of them i rescued now the landlords trying 2 take them away from me i am getting a lawyer 2 fight him all the way
May 18, 2010 by Atia
Cruelty to humans and cruelty to animals is not mutually exclusive. Your premise that abused children should first be helped before animals is faulty. Research has shown that all cruelty perpetrated upon humans starts with cruelty to small animals, progressing to larger ones, and then to humans. In fact, almost all mass murderers have started with torturing small animals as children - if only parents or other adults had paid attention instead of the old mantra "boys will be boys", many psychological problems and future murders could have been nipped in the bud. In abusive households, animals are very often the first to suffer, teaching children the vicious cycle - parents often punish their children by torturing or killing their pets. I think there's room to protect children and animals from cruelty - we don't have to choose one over the other.
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August 24, 2010 by sharon
animals do not have a voice.We need to speak for them...
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September 17, 2010 by june
i believe animals should have just as much rights as humans. the lady next door to me had a squirl in her trap today. i was so furious i screamed it out all over the neighbrohood and the lady heard me and released the animal so she wouldn't get in trouble, but this should have never happened to begin with becuase she should not be able to set traps. thats why i think people who do this are acting irreponsible and should be held accountable and i want everyone to know what she is doing.
September 23, 2010 by josephine zingarelli
yes we need to be their voices cause they cant speak for them selves
August 24, 2010 by Joanne
What are you doing to help these children? All living things in a civilized society deserve to be protected
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January 12, 2011 by concern
Yes I do think children should come before animals. I also believe that some people are making it hard on others who want to take care of animals, It has gotten where it is almost impossible to afford an animal. My 2 dogs got out of my yard one day, I was call stating the animal control had picked them up & took them away. Well of course I was upset. So I call to see what had to be done. The police station where I live said they had took the dog to the Animal shelter & I would have to come to the police station to pick up paper in order to get my dogs. Well I was at work, & his was on a Friday, so they had to stay all weekend & the shelter did not open til the following Tuesday. At any rate I had to pay the shelter $130. to get them out & also I have been fined $1000.00 dollars to the police dept where I live. I am a single person who has a mother with dementia. I am so upset. I did get my dogs back. I have took precautions to keep my dogs from getting out again. I just feel that no one should have to be punished for trying to take care of animals.
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February 8, 2012 by james bond cowsgoboom@gmail.com
i totally agree with you animals deserve to be treated nicely but we should stop the abuse of children
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April 21, 2010 by michellestotz
I think we need much more secondary organizations to protect animals I think Congress should do some legistration on humane laws for animals! I think legistration should make agencies for our cities and towns help with low=income families birth control and stiffier penalities for animals abusers secondary organizations they can be reported and more investigations done the law doesn't have the time to investigate! I think we need animal adoptions more afforable it is $180 dollars to adopt an animal all the shots and neuturing what about lovw-income families would love to adopt them but I can't afford them!
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September 19, 2010 by john
one of my pit bull got loose after some one kick in one of the panels of my vivnly fense one of them got ahold of another pit and bite her both of my dogs were taken i gave one up to be destroyed and the other i had to, pay bout 500 dollars cause he live qwith her he did nothing he was heathly when the county got him when i pick him up he had kennel cough real bad and i found bout 40 ticks and now he has a rash that i never seem before and his health is real bad i think that sinse the county had him in there possession they should be the one responsible they have doctors there on site and since we i have to pay the fine anyway wjy should i have to pay a vet for sometuhiong that should have never happeded he did nothing
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September 22, 2010 by lori
I have almost the same situation. Have you found any solutions?
November 22, 2010 by Nicole
I own a pitbull rescue, it is a non-profit, so I take in donations to help with all of the costs. If you visit a rescue instead of a humane society or pound, you are more likely to get the same results with shots, and them being fixed without the large rehoming fee. Like my rescue, if I get a dog that only needs to be fixed and already has all shots, I only charge what it costs. If it needs all shots, fixed and heartworm or other medical treatment, then I charge between 1/4 and 1/2 the price to try to get a little something back to help with the other dogs. You have to think, the pounds get government funding and sponsors to help them pay for the treatments, but rescues don't, so if you are going to pay look up a rescue they do more, and they are no kills, so the animals that come in have more than 72 hours to live and find a home. That is the law of the shelters, the stay for 3 days to see if anyone claims them (only if found or turned in as a stray), then after 3 days they get 72 hours to be adopted and if not adopted, they go to the dark room. Please check into the local rescues. Some will help with low income families, I do.
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April 27, 2011 by JayT
If they can't afford 180 dollars to adopt an animal (a one-time fee which BARELY covers the cost of shots and neutering--and often that only covers a fraction. Cost me 300 to have a female cat spayed) then they can't afford routine vet care associated with pet ownership. Just because a person may WANT a pet, does NOT mean they can afford to properly care for it. Dogs and cats should be seen at the vets at least once yearly--and that's IF they're well--they cost of yearly well-pet vet care, healthy food, and appropriate care supplies is considerably greater than a one-time adoption fee. Just because someone can own an animal doesnt mean they should.
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April 22, 2010 by Kitty
Cruelty to any living thing is horrible. I continously hear 'I think that is overblown, but when I ask them to watch an undercover video of extreme abuse of circus animals, they just don't bother. Ignorance is bliss, I guess. Now, I just support the work of animal sanctuaries, like PAWS in California.
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April 23, 2010 by shandel edwards
i hate that these poor animals have to go through this not only do they have to worry about bigger animals killing/eating them but they also have to worry about getting shot down by a HUMMAN for their fur or just for the fun of killing animals some HUMMANS are soooo stupid and selfish dont you know that animal had a life to im pretty sure it had a wife and kids posibly a job and more than likely they pay their animal taxes to would you like it if some one killed your wife ,husband and or kids come people
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April 24, 2010 by Linda Todaro
I am tired of watching my next door neighbor put bird food on the ground for squirrels and birds. He is baiting the little animals so his cats have something to kill. this has been going on for over a year . Complaints to management here get no results. Will post pictures if needed.
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April 24, 2010 by brittany tyler
this is the most discusting and crul thing to do to animals..what so people wake up in the morning and say to them selfs 'HMMM WAT CAN I DO TO TORCHER THIS ANIMAL TODAY' wat the hell im sorry but sham on those who think or even dream about hurting anything that lives
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April 29, 2010 by Jazmin
To Linda pls send me the photos I will need them for an animal cruelty website i have made p,ls send them to my email adress
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June 22, 2010 by Michelle
set out food somewhere that baits the squirrels andbirds away from the neighbors. Easy solution.
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April 25, 2010 by WILLIAM FREEMAN
we live in erin estates and we have pet rules but we have pet cats and stray cats running having kittens under mbol homes. now what i would like to know is if you trap them in trap and turn them over to spca can you get in trouble for trapping them. i've complain to owner of the park and the park manager about the stray's and they do nothing about the problem they tell you it's not there problem.
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May 29, 2010 by Sandy DeWitt
To William Freeman: please contact your county animal control office. Often they have humane traps to loan citizens. Please check with them about their hours of operation -- you wouldn't want to catch a cat and have to leave it in the trap over a weekend because the shelter is not open to the public then. Every shelter has different hours. Also make sure if the animal must stay in the trap for any time at all, it must have water! and you must provide some kind of protection from loose dogs or other animals who might try to injure the trapped animal. Thanks for caring about your community. It's not much fun to be the responsible kid on the block; but someone has to "step up to the plate" and take care of these problems or they get BIGGER!
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April 26, 2010 by Diamond
NO MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY ORRR WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF ANIMALS THAT LIVE AFTER TESTING?
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April 27, 2010 by sam
i hate people that abuse their animals
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June 7, 2011 by Aria morgan
I definetly agree with you guys
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April 27, 2010 by nicole
I went through a horrible time. My father in law took all my cats away when i wasnt home. He was helped to bring them to the shelter by my brother in law. (he didnt wanna tell me which shelter) I was looking for them at 4 shelters.and i could'nt find them.My husbund was on their side.Me and my kids were devastated.After all they told me that all cats are on sleep already .Is there a law to condamn this inhuman act?
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November 22, 2010 by Nicole
Yes there is a law that will allow you to file a stolen property and prosecution act against them. If you ever took your cats to a vet and had any vet records or receipts for pet food or any pictures of the cats, you can present them to a lawyer and file a report stating that these animals were under the ownership of you, and they was stolen from you while you were not home, taken to a shelter and put down. Then you need to file with your vet for proof of ownership, then file with the shelter they were taken to. Wait 2 weeks for your papers to legally go through, then file your prosecution papers. It will go from there.
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April 28, 2010 by lyza
Yes, animals need new laws to protect them against human cruelty. That is a must anything that we can do to improve their welfare is very important to the human race. Without animals in the planet we are dead... so why animals are being so abused by the industries and individuals. What is wrong with this society. From human infancy we should learn to respect nature and animals, we should not eat them, or exploit them or abused them, by having laws for their protection we also protecting society. People who cannot respect other beings in the planet are dangerous to us as well. They are polluters of the society.
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January 9, 2011 by Maurice D Groff
dogs are a mans best friend. and they should be treated that way.
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April 29, 2011 by Hilary Sontag
Animals are being abused and treated cruelty by animal controls across the country. This needs to be brought to the attention of both the media and the politicians. Animals deserve the right to be legally represented.
November 24, 2011 by Javyn Erwing
Its not just dogs but cats and every other animal in the world. Laws have been passed in most of the states that give fines and jail time for those that abuse animals but thats not enough. Thousands of animals are abused everyday and it sickens me that we call ourselves humans yet we treat animals with as much disrespect as another human being.
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