On behalf of our furry friends

It's gruesome to contemplate placing a puppy in a 200-degree oven for five minutes. Earlier this year, a Chihuahua-mix named Henry was placed in an oven during a domestic dispute. The dog's front paws were burned and he now walks with a limp. Earlier that same day, the dog was chased and cornered with a leaf blower, which injured his eye to the extent that it had to be removed by a veterinarian.

The defendant in the case, Marc Christopher Vincent, 36, has had trouble dealing with anger and has been receiving treatment, according to his defense attorney. His wife has filed for divorce.

Vincent is scheduled for sentencing in November. Society's principal interest in this case is that Vincent learn to manage his anger appropriately because it can be an awfully short trip between abusing animals and abusing humans. At a minimum, witnessing the extreme abuse of this puppy must have been very traumatic to Vincent's spouse.

There also is the matter of criminal responsibility. This appears to be a case in which imposing the maximum sentence would be justified. It is, according to Humane Society of Utah Director Gene Baierschmidt, the worst case of animal torture he has seen in his 18 years with the organization. That speaks volumes, considering the many tragic cases of animal cruelty that Baierschmidt has encountered.

Vincent faces a possible sentence of one year and a fine of $2,500 on a single charge of misdemeanor aggravated animal cruelty. Some will argue that jail time should be reserved for more serious offenses, such a violent crimes against people or drunken driving. They will say, "It's just a dog, after all."

That's precisely the point. Abused animals cannot demand justice. People can and should, however, because dismissing such depravity with a wink and nod dehumanizes us all.