In this blog I will discuss regulatory responsibility, referring mainly to animal shelters and the law. In the past and unfortunately even today, many municipal shelters are managed not for the good of the animals, but for the good of the bottom line, in a fashion more similar to a sanitation department where the animals are treated like garbage, to be disposed of quickly and as cheaply as possible. Adoptions are given low priority as are people searching for lost pets. Enforcement or even investigation of animal cruelty infractions are given little attention.
Many of the attitudes displayed are a direct reflection of the shelter leadership. This has to change and fortunately this is where the voice of public opinion can make a difference. If the people of these communities stand up and demand change, be persistent as well as pervasive, things do change.
All across this country, animal shelters are taking the steps necessary to become more humane and helpful for the animals. Sadly, many are not. These are often still being run according to outdated notions about animal care, or stubborn individuals who don't see a reason for change. Judges may not think animal cruelty cases merit harsh punishments, city managers may not see beyond budgets, animal control officers may not even like the animals they are meant to care for and protect.
It is cases such as these that the public must address, in person, at meetings, with petitions, letter campaigns and the greatest tool available today, social media. Campaigns such as these have in the past resulted in changes to animal cruelty laws with stiffer penalties. The problem left is getting the authorities to take the issue seriously, for parents not to turn a blind eye, living in denial, for police officers to pursue said investigations, rather than believing them to be a waste of time, getting prosecutors to take these cases on. In some states there are specific units of lawyers devoted to animal cruelty crimes.
Some may ask with all the human suffering, why bother to devote resources for just an animal? Countless studies have shown that often violent criminals started by abusing animals. It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Currently it may be difficult to get a conviction and appropriate sentence, even if getting as far as court, but that should not be an excuse not to try. There will be no monetary recovery, in fact to many, the cost will outweigh the outcome, but it is imperative to get the message out that society is changing and certain behaviors, no matter if they were considered okay in the past, will no longer be tolerated in a compassionate, caring society. Even if just by publicizing such incidents, we can make a difference and it will be well worth it. There are countless crimes that are no longer hushed up, animal abuse needs that as well. These episodes should not be glossed over, made to seem less brutal just to shut people up. We need this out in the open, we need people to be outraged, to demand change. Only then can public opinion make changes for the good of us all.
Many of the attitudes displayed are a direct reflection of the shelter leadership. This has to change and fortunately this is where the voice of public opinion can make a difference. If the people of these communities stand up and demand change, be persistent as well as pervasive, things do change.
All across this country, animal shelters are taking the steps necessary to become more humane and helpful for the animals. Sadly, many are not. These are often still being run according to outdated notions about animal care, or stubborn individuals who don't see a reason for change. Judges may not think animal cruelty cases merit harsh punishments, city managers may not see beyond budgets, animal control officers may not even like the animals they are meant to care for and protect.
It is cases such as these that the public must address, in person, at meetings, with petitions, letter campaigns and the greatest tool available today, social media. Campaigns such as these have in the past resulted in changes to animal cruelty laws with stiffer penalties. The problem left is getting the authorities to take the issue seriously, for parents not to turn a blind eye, living in denial, for police officers to pursue said investigations, rather than believing them to be a waste of time, getting prosecutors to take these cases on. In some states there are specific units of lawyers devoted to animal cruelty crimes.
Some may ask with all the human suffering, why bother to devote resources for just an animal? Countless studies have shown that often violent criminals started by abusing animals. It is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Currently it may be difficult to get a conviction and appropriate sentence, even if getting as far as court, but that should not be an excuse not to try. There will be no monetary recovery, in fact to many, the cost will outweigh the outcome, but it is imperative to get the message out that society is changing and certain behaviors, no matter if they were considered okay in the past, will no longer be tolerated in a compassionate, caring society. Even if just by publicizing such incidents, we can make a difference and it will be well worth it. There are countless crimes that are no longer hushed up, animal abuse needs that as well. These episodes should not be glossed over, made to seem less brutal just to shut people up. We need this out in the open, we need people to be outraged, to demand change. Only then can public opinion make changes for the good of us all.
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