Stricter Animal Laws Needed
The Argument for Harsher Animal Rights Laws
Cruelty to animals is a major ethical concern facing society today. There is a significant link between animal and human abuse as well as benefits of pet ownership. My membership in the American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (ASPCA) has shown me the need for harsher animal welfare laws, some of which I will highlight in this article.
Many of the laws still classify animals as 'property', which makes harm, or even death, comparable to the destruction of your car or a clock. Proof of this legal mentality is shown in the fact that there are still eight states that classify animal cruelty as a misdemeanor, but of the forty-three (including D.C.) that do consider these atrocious acts felonies, many consider beating or neglect a misdemeanor that only becomes a felony upon death. The bottom line is that animals are sentient beings, which can think and feel, and need our protection.
A good example is the transportation of baby birds. Every year, baby birds are shipped through the US Postal Service by hatcheries. These living creatures are packed into boxes and mailed, with no food or water, or concern as to temperature extremes. This results in the death of countless birds every year. To combat this unethical practice, the USPS adopted policies to ensure safer conditions for the birds. In response to these new policies, Senator Charles Grassley has introduced a new bill (S.2395), which would remove the Postal Service's authority to implement the new regulations. This bill would require that certain airlines be used to transport birds, and that they may use connecting flights instead of direct flights, with temperatures between 0 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
An even more disturbing fact is that there is a well recognized link between people who commit animal abuse and those who abuse children. A survey of pet-owning families with substantiated child abuse and neglect found that animals were abused in 88% of homes where child physical abuse was present. Eric Smith, a young 12-year old boy, strangled his neighbor's cat with a garden hose. A year later, at age 13, he murdered a 4-year old boy. Jeffery Dahmer and David Berkowitz both tortured and killed animals when they were children, and then went on to become well-known serial killers as adults. The evidence of the connections between animal and human abuse is hard to deny.
It is also a commonly known fact that pet ownership may help promote longer living. It's now being shown that elderly people who own pets are living happier lives. Caring for the animals promotes exercise and gives older people something else to care for besides just themselves, according to the Pet Information Bureau, Washington D.C.
With more and more studies and research coming out about animals and pet ownership, the moral aspect is becoming more important also. This is why I believe that animal welfare is a major ethical concern facing society today. So why don't we all take a look at these laws and make some changes?
Published by Joshua Cook
I am a freelance writer for hire who has a true passion for writing. Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I moved to the Seattle area about three years ago. After a recent dark period in my life, I came out stronger... View profile
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21 Comments
Post a CommentI believe that our pets need an advocate on their behalf. To be just property for people is abhorant to me. They are our furry children and not just things. They interact with us. They need us as we need them. Especially when living alone. They are our partners of need. Laws should be established to promote any harmful cruel actions against them put in the same category as a someone abusing a human child. It's not right to think of them as food like asians do , or entertainment like the circuses and rodeos do. Those times to think that was in yesteryear when people didn't seem to know any better and thought even seeing a human hang was entertainment. A law should be passed to all abusers of animals in any way that they will be prosucuted as if they abused a child.
I believe that our pets need an advocate on their behalf. To be just property for people is abhorant to me. They are our furry children and not just things. They interact with us. They need us as we need them. Especially when living alone. They are our partners of need. Laws should be established to promote any harmful cruel actions against them put in the same category as a someone abusing a human child. It's not right to think of them as food like asians do , or entertainment like the circuses and rodeos do. Those times to think that was in yesteryear when people didn't seem to know any better and thought even seeing a human hang was entertainment. A law should be passed to all abusers of animals in any way that they will be prosucuted as if they abused a child.
Interesting article. You noted that many state laws still regard animals as property. Changing this status to give animals additional rights has been a growing topic of discussion in animal law. http://www.nabranimallaw.org/ has a lot of useful information regarding personhood - i.e. giving animals similar rights to humans and its implications.
"An even more disturbing fact is that there is a well recognized link between people who commit animal abuse and those who abuse children" I can say this is totally true..my ex husband used to beat our dog, well, one night I came home to find our one year old son with a bloody impression of a handprint on his head...beware of the animal hater! It's really sad and sick. Great article-you write very well!
this is a stupid article, everyone is like, great article, because its talking about Saving dolphins and birds, yaaaayyyy!!!
I still cannot understand why anyone would be cruel to any living creature. Although, I do smash ants now and never would have done that before. (I used to scoop them up and relocate them.)
At the post office recently I saw a guy mailing live birds in a cardboard box. I was surprised because I never heard of this practice before.
I can't see how anyone could abuseand animal!! It's horrible and inhumane!
I don't understand how anyone could abuse an animal. Our pets are like members of our family.
It amazes me how some can be so mean to animals. I am an animal lover and can't stand to see an animal mistreated. I did call the police on one occasion about a neighbor ( this was a long time ago) they did come and take the dog away. I understand these days the police have bigger crimes, so maybe there should be a special division for animal cruelty. I these divisions exist in very few areas, but should be everywhere.