41 – What to do about Animal Abuse
“It’s just an animal.” People just don’t seem to understand why so many people get so upset when we hear of cruelty or abuse to animals. Some caring people have tried to report abuse only to be told the law will only be enforceable if the animal is without food, water, or shelter or if there are signs of physical abuse. Puppy mills have been shut down, cockfighting and dog-fighting rings broken, and abandoned pets rescued. Yet I hear so many stories of abuse – dogs chained 24 hours a day, farms where skeletons of puppies have been found among severely underfed dogs, homes where dogs are seen for a few months and then disappear. Why are these places still in existence?
I think the number one reason people fail to report an incidence of abuse is fear of retaliation. They fear for their families, their pets, and themselves. It’s not an unfounded fear – Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, the Son of Sam, and the Columbine High School shooters all have in common the fact that they abused animals before they went on to their infamous crimes against people. Women and children in protective shelters often speak of the family animals who were also victimized. The American Psychiatric Association actually lists animal abuse as one of the criteria for certain mental disorders.
In some areas, animals are viewed as property, just as a car is property. Should an owner decide to destroy his car, it’s his right. Likewise, if an animal owner decides to kill his animal, it’s his property to dispose of as he sees fit. Persons who think in this manner would find no reason to report what others consider abuse. The recent studies showing animals to be highly developed, thinking beings, who are capable of emotion and feeling, are totally ignored.
Perhaps people fail to report because they don’t know exactly what constitutes abuse. Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-202 defines abuse as failure to provide water, shelter, food, and adequate care, as well as torturing, maiming, or overworking an animal. Add to this: abandoning an animal and transporting or confining the animal in a cruel way, soring a horse’s legs, and tying, tethering, or restraining a dog in such a manner that it results in the dog suffering bodily injury, and you have a good definition. Most first offenses are either Class A or B misdemeanors, with a second offense categorized as a felony.
What should you do if you encounter a case of abuse? You can begin by calling the
Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter and Animal Control (or your local
animal control if you are outside this area).
Since they have limited staff and budget, you may be asked to contact
the Cookeville Police Department or the Putnam County Sheriff, depending on
your location. If you have no luck here,
you may wish to contact the Humane Society of the U.S. at www.hsus.org
. Per the HSUS suggestions, be sure to
document the suspected abuse as well as you can. After contacting the proper authorities,
follow up on your complaint. Above all,
you must consider your safety and that of your family, including pets. Also inform the authorities of the need for
protection for your loved ones.
Luckily, there are
so many good Samaritans in our community who have rescued many dogs abused by
others. If I began to list them all, my
column would take the whole page. Many
of us would agree there is a special place in Heaven for these folks. Like me, they probably would acknowledge the
reason they do what they do is summarized in the following poem (it applies to
other pets as well):
JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or
"just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile,
because they "just don't understand."
~Unknown Author~
Jan Casey owns Smiles and Wags and provides reward-based training and behavior consultations to dog owners. She may be reached at jan@smilesandwags.com or 931-510-0119.