Reader comments
Support for animal cruelty law still strong

I am against feolny animal abuse laws. As long as it is a misdemeanor to abuse ones spouse and someone can get only 5 years in prison for shaking their child to death I think it is rediculous to enhance a good law that outlaws animal abuse. Lets fill our prisons with those that commit crimes against people and leave the apporpriate protection for animals. Unless of course the animal rights activists want to pay for it out of their pocket and not everyone alse. This is just one small step closer to outlawing hunting and human consumption of animals.

Felonies are should be reserved for offenses against humans. I understand the pain of seeing the affects of torture of an animal, However, this should not be viewed as equal to the crimes against people. This is a slippery slope that emotion will carry us down. If anything, it is important to help these individuals with therapy, but not permanently scar their lives with a felony. I don't see how making this a felony helps any one correct their life. Animal rights individuals place the life of an animal above a human being. This is why the courts need to implement harsh punishment under the misdemeanor law.
Once, again felonies should be reserved only for crimes against mankind.

The reason these laws are created are because the same people who abuse animals will eventually or already have treated humans the same way. Look at the research. They deserve much more than a felony on their record. Do you think a rapist, a child abuser or serial killer wouldn't torture an animal?