Should penalties for animal cruelty be more severe?

Yes

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by Brenda Nelson

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All over the world laws and punishments for acts of cruelty are different. Sadly what is considered cruel is often more of the problem than the lax punishments given. All too often people are allowed to get away with quite a lot of things, that if done to a human, would result in a jail sentence, but when done to animals is considered, legally, to be alright. To go beyond that when an act against an animal does reach a criminal stage, the punishments are often weak.

Putting a cat in a microwave, or oven, to suffer and die should be worth more than a one-year jail sentence. Feeding poison to a neighbors dog should be worth more than a fine. Stomping baby chicks to death should be worth more than a slap on the wrist.

We must consider intentional cruelty to animals as a more serious offense for a few reasons.

1. It can lead to Attacks on Humans

Studies have shown that people who harm animals often later turn to abusing, torturing, and killing, people. Many serial killers have admitted they begun their murderous sprees on Free to Good Home pets, even killing the family pet as a child. Had actions been taken sooner against them, could the human suffering been prevented? Sadly the fear that these attacks on animals could lead to attacks on humans is one one driving force behind getting tougher penalties, the animals themselves are of little concern.

2. It shows Contempt for the Owner

Sometimes attacks on animals are done purely to get at their owner. Such is often the case where dogs are barking, or cats are loose, the animals become pests in the neighborhood and rather than confronting the owner, somebody kills the animal in question. Pets are often targeted by criminals who use killing the pet to send a message to the owner. Simple relationship disputes are sometimes taken out by one partner killing the others beloved pet. These actions should all be viewed as crimes not only against the animal, but against the owner of the animal, they are destruction of property, and are often physical threats.

3. There is No Excuse for it

A person has to go out of their way to torture, or kill, an animal. Innocently hitting an animal that dashes onto the road is very different from intentionally driving into run with the purpose of hitting it. In human terms killing with intent results in a murder charge, and is viewed with far more seriousness than killing accidentally, but even so often people are charged harshly when they do kill a person by accident or negligence, as in a car crash. There is no excuse in the world for intentionally causing pain and suffering to an animal. Since the act has a cruel intent, it should be punished severely.

4. For the Sake of the Animal alone

If such acts were done on a human the public would cry out for justice against the attacker. Although some religions teach that animals are here only for our use as food and as beasts of burden, this is really not the case. An animals life is here for it to enjoy. An intentional attack against an innocent creature should be viewed the same as an intentional attack against a young child, very likely the only thing preventing such an attack from being placed on a young child is that the laws against it are stronger.

-Summary-

The right kind of Punishment

A jail sentence is a good deterrent and would stop some cruel attacks on animals, but really what is also needed is mental help for those people who show any signs of aggression to animals. Putting them in jail will not mend their problems. These people need real help or will very likely come out of prison more angry than when they went in. So, while certainly harsher punishments need to be made, better ways of preventing further problems also need to be addressed.

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