Reader comments
2 sides win with animal-cruelty bill
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Animal lover | 12:11 p.m. March 6, 2008
What if it is the animal who does the attacking? Do you have a right to defend
yourself or does the dog now have the upper paw on a human. I was just
wondering? Is there a law that protects humans from animal attacks?-- Or is the
POOCH now the big guy? I have been attacked by a furious dog several times in my
life while taking a stroll in my neighborhood. Is this fair?
Although, I am a 100% against animal abuse. It should never happen and it makes me angry, and I believe people should go to jail for it. I love animals. I just don't like being attacked by them.
Although, I am a 100% against animal abuse. It should never happen and it makes me angry, and I believe people should go to jail for it. I love animals. I just don't like being attacked by them.
Steve | 12:11 p.m. March 6, 2008
I agree with Catherine above 100% in all she said... excellent explanation of
what torture of animals is and who it applies to. Also, I hope at some point
soon (in the next few years) after the Governor signs this and it officially
becomes law that ammendments are made to expand the felony charge to cover all
animals (or as many more as possible) beyond just pet cats and dogs. I'm a
bird owner and would like to see torture of pet birds a 3rd degree felony on the
first charge as well.
Thank you very much to all the members of the Senate and House who voted in favor of passing this bill. Sen. Gene Davis, I wish your original bill had been the one to pass... but much thanks to you and your efforts and special thanks to Rep. Sheryl Allen for her efforts.
One question I'd like to have answered though is did Sen. Christensen (who divised this compromise bill) truly have a change of heart or did he simply cave in to pressure with his old thoughts and feelings on the matter still intact? He used to be the main person fighting against Henry's Law.
Thank you very much to all the members of the Senate and House who voted in favor of passing this bill. Sen. Gene Davis, I wish your original bill had been the one to pass... but much thanks to you and your efforts and special thanks to Rep. Sheryl Allen for her efforts.
One question I'd like to have answered though is did Sen. Christensen (who divised this compromise bill) truly have a change of heart or did he simply cave in to pressure with his old thoughts and feelings on the matter still intact? He used to be the main person fighting against Henry's Law.
Comments continue below
Catherine | 12:44 p.m. March 6, 2008
Regarding Animal Lover:
Well of course you can defend yourself if the animal does the attacking. These animal cruelty laws, like any other, take common sense into account. The animal cruelty laws are being so bent so out of shape from what their true intentions are. This is not putting animals "above the law," or "above human rights." It is merely giving animals much-needed, much-deserved protection from those people who intentionally and wrongfully ABUSE and TORTURE them -- harming the animal with malicious and evil intent.
There isn't a law in the land that would claim you were in the wrong by simply walking down the street and out of nowhere getting viciously attacked by a dog (or any other animal) and defending yourself. By all means, go for it. That isn't what these laws are about.
I also have been attacked by a dog and bitten. I had every right to defend myself. I was also told by animal control that I had the right to press charges if I desired to do so.
Animal cruelty laws don't give animals the upper hand- just protection from cruel people.
Well of course you can defend yourself if the animal does the attacking. These animal cruelty laws, like any other, take common sense into account. The animal cruelty laws are being so bent so out of shape from what their true intentions are. This is not putting animals "above the law," or "above human rights." It is merely giving animals much-needed, much-deserved protection from those people who intentionally and wrongfully ABUSE and TORTURE them -- harming the animal with malicious and evil intent.
There isn't a law in the land that would claim you were in the wrong by simply walking down the street and out of nowhere getting viciously attacked by a dog (or any other animal) and defending yourself. By all means, go for it. That isn't what these laws are about.
I also have been attacked by a dog and bitten. I had every right to defend myself. I was also told by animal control that I had the right to press charges if I desired to do so.
Animal cruelty laws don't give animals the upper hand- just protection from cruel people.
Animal Lover | 1:19 p.m. March 6, 2008
RE: Steve,
I am a bird (Parrot) owner as well. I agree with you that birds should be recognized, as they are extremely intelligent animals. Some are as smart as a 3 year old. I don't mean to sound prejudges, but our bird is MUCH smarter than our dog...lol!
RE:Thanks Catherine,
I agree with you completely.
I am a bird (Parrot) owner as well. I agree with you that birds should be recognized, as they are extremely intelligent animals. Some are as smart as a 3 year old. I don't mean to sound prejudges, but our bird is MUCH smarter than our dog...lol!
RE:Thanks Catherine,
I agree with you completely.
doug | 2:10 p.m. March 6, 2008
what the heck lets send people to jail for hurting plants , fungi, and bacteria
too.
vila | 5:54 p.m. March 6, 2008
Doug sounds like one of those people who like to hurt animals on a regular
basis, why else the idiotic reference to plants, fungi, and bacteria.
disappointed | 12:17 a.m. March 7, 2008
Shame on our legislators. They have given in to a few extremists and opened a
door that is going to lead to animals having more rights than we do. I am
allowed by law to spank my own kids for misbehavior, but not my Lab for his
misdeeds. (And yes I do love him dearly. A few "doggy spankings" have
proved very effective. And no I am not a child abuser either.) Who is going to
interpret what is cruelity or not. A felony is pretty serious business. It would
change any one of our lives. Heck, I better start setting my dogs and cat a
plate at the dinner table. It won't be long before it is considered cruel
to have them eating off the floor.
Willow | 10:21 a.m. March 7, 2008
Sounds like "disappointed" is one of those people who take this bill
out of context for what it really is due to lack of education about it. Look up
the word torture. Torture is pretty serious business.
Steve - Re: Disappointed | 12:49 p.m. March 7, 2008
I don't know why so many people, such as yourself, find it so hard to
understand exactly what torture is and how it differs from neglect or your
"doggy spanking". Then again, it depends on how you're spanking
the dog... a light spank or repeated heavy blows (basically beating the dog).
See Catherine's posts above for what exactly torture is.
As for spanking of any animal or even humans for punishment... it's not the best route to take. You have better success getting both animals and children to do as they should through possitive re-enforcement. Lay on the praise when they're doing what they should or performing a task the "proper" way.
With animals specifically (I speak from experience with birds and I'm sure it applies to dogs as well) if you yell and scream at them when they've been bad you're still "rewarding" the behavior and thus re-enforcing it. Animals often will do just about anything to get attention (be it possitive or negative) if they feel they're being ignored. By spanking your dog you may be causing it to fear you, not respect you and your wishes. It should do things out of respect not fear.
As for spanking of any animal or even humans for punishment... it's not the best route to take. You have better success getting both animals and children to do as they should through possitive re-enforcement. Lay on the praise when they're doing what they should or performing a task the "proper" way.
With animals specifically (I speak from experience with birds and I'm sure it applies to dogs as well) if you yell and scream at them when they've been bad you're still "rewarding" the behavior and thus re-enforcing it. Animals often will do just about anything to get attention (be it possitive or negative) if they feel they're being ignored. By spanking your dog you may be causing it to fear you, not respect you and your wishes. It should do things out of respect not fear.
Herb | 1:04 p.m. March 7, 2008
To Willow: Yea and how soon before some judge, cop, animal control officer or an
over authorized Humane Society Officer also takes it out of context and some
MINOR offender ends up with a felony rap?? Oh and does that mean I can't
shoot all the stray cats wreaking havoc in my yard with my paintball gun
anymore???
Steve - Re: Herb | 1:30 p.m. March 7, 2008
What is your definition of a "minor offender"? Do you mean someone
under the age of 18 playing around or outright torturing an animal? Or do you
mean "minor" as in a small or insigificant infraction of the law?
I see no reason why someone under the age of 18 shouldn't get a 3rd degree felony charge if they're indeed torturing an animal. "But it will follow them around for the rest of their lives" someone might say. Well so what? That's what you get if you do a crime. If you don't want a record, don't do something wrong... very simple.
I hope your stray cat comment was sarcasm and an attempt at humor... if not, the answer is no people can't shoot at cats with paintball guns or BB guns because they've wandered into your yard. If you want a cat out of your yard it's pretty easy, just clap your hands loudly and shout. Works every time for me, the cat instantly runs out of the yard and no harm has been done.
I see no reason why someone under the age of 18 shouldn't get a 3rd degree felony charge if they're indeed torturing an animal. "But it will follow them around for the rest of their lives" someone might say. Well so what? That's what you get if you do a crime. If you don't want a record, don't do something wrong... very simple.
I hope your stray cat comment was sarcasm and an attempt at humor... if not, the answer is no people can't shoot at cats with paintball guns or BB guns because they've wandered into your yard. If you want a cat out of your yard it's pretty easy, just clap your hands loudly and shout. Works every time for me, the cat instantly runs out of the yard and no harm has been done.
Anonomous | 10:49 a.m. March 11, 2008
i think animal cruelty is a crime no matter what anyone says and i stand by this
bill 150% besides if you have a pet you should want to love it and play with and
all of that stuff because that is why we have pets is it not? if you have anger
issues then you should go buy a punching bag and beat that because it
doesn't have feelings like your pet or any pet for that matter, plus the
punging bag makes you into a good fighter so there's a bonus. plus you
won't get arrested for hitting the punching bag!
FerretMamaRescue | 4:05 p.m. April 10, 2008
I have seen some horrendous things when rescueing a ferret. Hopefully the law
will extend to them someday. I am sickened by our societies disregard for the
very animals created by irresponsibility of our society. ENOUGH! Humans in
large part are the least compassionate and loving creatures I have found on this
earth. IT'S DISGUSTING people are doing our own creations. No, I do not
breed animals, I rescue only, and I will continue to take responsibility for the
ruthlessness of our society. We are few, but we are out here.
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TORTURE, by definition, leaves no question as to its meaning. There is a huge difference in normal animal agricultural practices and TORTURE of an animal. The agricultural people need to relax and know that we don't think they are torturing animals and that they wouldn't 'mistakenly' be charged a felony for their normal agricultural practices.
A felony charge for animal turture is for those sick individuals who purposely inflict needless harm on animals by baking them alive them in ovens, lighting them on fire for the 'fun' of it, flinging them against a wall and breaking bones, and other such atrocities.
Why people can't understand those differences is mind-boggling to me. Raise your steer for beef like normal- fine and dandy. Shoot your steer with 20 arrows and watch it slowly suffer while you laugh- a felony.