Animal Abuse Hurts People Too

Some people think caring about the welfare of animals is a waste of time and humans should come first. They think effort toward stopping animal abuse and neglect is wasteful. There are starving children out there!

Well, animal abuse hurts people too - that's why we care. Hurting animals says volumes about a person, and so does helping them. Just because we help animals doesn't mean we shortchange people.

Here's a statement I found on a blog about the public outcry following the murdered and decapitated dog in St. Paul, Minnesota:

"The decapitated dog I believe got more coverage than the baby who was separated at birth. It's pretty appalling and such a depressing comment on our society."

We care not only because of the cruelty to the animal, but to the owner. The dog who was stolen and murdered belonged to a sixteen year old girl. He was her therapy dog. It's equally appalling to chide society for being quick to punish the perpetrator. I guess the people who sent the girl cards and offered reward money should have sent the money to help humans instead. Oh wait, they did help a human. They helped that sixteen year old girl who was shocked and devastated by her loss. They helped her to see the good in people, which will shape her life, and she will no doubt extend that kindness to others.

We donate money to animal causes because they give us so much return on our investment. The children out there who are going through a rough time probably draw comfort from a special cat or dog. That little girl you saw in a wheelchair at the grocery store probably lives for her one hour a week of therapeutic horseback riding on her favorite pony.

People who abuse animals are likely to move on to other people, so it pays to nip it in the bud. Jeffrey Dahmer started with animals. But let's not pay attention to young Jeffrey. They're just animals, and there are children out there who need to be protected from murderers. Think of the children.

Well, when we help animals we are thinking of the children. We are teaching them how to treat others. We are helping them build relationships with creatures that will be there for them when no one else will. And we're teaching them to be generous, which will no doubt touch people as well as animals somewhere down the road.