by Melanie Treinen

Created on: January 26, 2010   Last Updated: January 27, 2010

There are a lot of disgusting people in this world, a lot of angry people who think that they can take their anger out on something smaller than they are. What victim is better than someone who can not even stand up for themselves? The easiest target for them is a pet. Animal abuse consists of psychical abuse, malnutrition, unacceptable living conditions (dirty spaces, unsafe places), and not getting pets the treatment that they require to be living a healthy life.

Anyone in their right mind knows that taking out any aggression on your supposed to be companion is sickening, and most people feel the need to help these animals... but what should you consider?

Whenever I think of these kinds of animals it takes me back to one of my first childhood pets. My mother would take me to her friends house some days, one of these days we looked into the neighbors yard to notice a dog tied up to a tree twisted up in her rope. She didn't have any food or water, and was literally living in a pile of mud and poop. I guess my mother had seen this dog tied up more than just this one time, and she couldn't stand for it anymore. She went up to the door and told the people they have the choice of either giving the dog to us, or we were going to call the animal control and have them deal with it. Not wanting to get into any legal trouble they went into the back yard, grabbed the dog, and just handed her over.

Not everyone has this option though. Not everyone has the financial means to take an animal in. Most likely these animals aren't up to date on vet checks, and probably haven't been spaid or neutered. Not everyone has the space for a new animal. There are also other things to consider if your wanting to save a pet to take in as your own, is this pet going to be aggressive because of it's former life? Is the owner going to be aggressive if you confront them?

If you have considered all these, and can not take action on your own it's important to get ahold of animal control. Animal abuse IS A CRIME and animals need us to be their voice. They can not speak up for themselves. If you are suspecting animal abuse, don't second guess yourself. The least you can do is call animal control and at least have them check out the situation. An animal will never forget the things you do for them.

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