It seems we can’t turn on the TV, check social media, or open a newspaper without learning of yet another horrible animal cruelty case.
Animals, like seniors and children, are among our vulnerable populations; unlike the latter, they have fewer legal protections and no voice to ask for help. They depend upon us to sound the alarm if we see something of concern.
Law enforcement often does a great job of apprehending and charging offenders, but it seems like everything falls apart during the judicial process, where plea deals to lesser offenses take place and the punishment isn’t always as severe as the defendants deserve.
Our prosecutors and judges have the ultimate power to see justice through and they have often let the public down as well as betraying the victims. Ultimately, laws that are not properly enforced become nothing more than words on paper.
Animal cruelty goes beyond the abuse of animals; it poses a threat to public safety, as well. The FBI acknowledges that cruelty to animals links with violence against humans; in fact, every serial killer began their life of crime by torturing animals.
Consequently, this branch of law enforcement tracks animal cruelty as a top-tier crime. Several states have passed animal abuse registries, making it easier to establish a history and monitor those with a propensity to harm animals.
As a society, we can do several things to help protect the defenseless:
- Encourage humane education in schools and instill empathy and compassion in our younger generations.
- Apply public pressure upon lawmakers, prosecutors, and judges to take cases seriously – especially during elections. Ask them where they stand on animal cruelty during their campaigns and keep them accountable afterwards.
- Lobby for courtroom advocates (those who advocate for the animal victims).
- Push for legislative reform.
- Use the worst cases as precedents to rally for media attention to force legislators and DA’s to toughen existing laws and sentencing (as we did for Reba’s Law in NV).
- If you witness or suspect animal abuse, contact local animal protection services with any evidence and location and request the report number for following up.
