Horserider
10-09-2008, 01:34 PM
Read and critique if you like. It's for my english class.
Animal Abuse – A Problem of Understated Importance
Jeremy Bentham once said, “The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but rather, “Can they suffer?” There have been 1,305 cases of animal neglect and abuse recorded in the US so far this year. This number has remained relatively consistent for the last decade. Animal abuse is still a major problem and it must be addressed.
Animal abuse and neglect are both separate issues. Abuse is the intentional mistreatment of an animal. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care. However both issues are very prevalent and serious. Many of you are wondering: Why should I care? Does it really matter how animals are treated? Of course it does. For example intentional cruelty to animals can stem from psychological distress. Oftentimes people are treat animals badly may also abuse their wives or children in the same way. Studies in psychology, criminology and sociology over the last 25 years have shown that violent offenders frequently have histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. Animal abuse and neglect is a national problem that should be addressed properly. In 2007 there were 1,909 cases of animal cruelty and neglect reported in the US and in 2006 there were 2,338 cases reported. It’s safe to assume that there are many, many more cases every year that go unreported and unresolved. Every year hundreds of animals suffer cruelty at their owner’s and sometimes their owner’s friends and family’s hands. As is well known by animal lovers and proven by much research despite what many people may try to believe animals are very intelligent and can feel just as well as the rest of us.
The first solution I propose is stricter laws for animal abuse and neglect. Neglect may stem from ignorance, but that doesn’t make it any better than abuse and therefore the two should be considered equally though the punishments may not be equal depending on the case. Did you know that there are no federal laws on animal abuse and neglect? The court decision depends on the law of the state the crime was commited in. All states now have laws covering animal abuse and neglect, but the severity of the punishment varies widely be state. It is only a misdemeanor in Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota. Animal abuse and neglect is a felony in all other states. The punishments vary regarding jail time and fines. For example the maximum jail time in Alabama and Louisiana is 10 years and in Mississippi and North Carolina it’s only 6 months. Another example is the maximum fines. The largest is Colorado with $500,000 and the smallest is in $1,000 in South Dakota, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Arkansas. These statistics show that the punishment is wildly erratic. That is why I propose that there should be federal laws regarding animal abuse. Many state laws are fairly lax regarding animal abuse. Federal laws should at least address a minimum for the punishment of animal abuse.
Another solution that I would like to propose is education. If owners were properly educated in animal care then perhaps there wouldn’t be as many neglect cases. Many neglect cases are the result of ignorance. Some pet owners just don’t realize that there animal requires constant access to food, water and shelter and requires veterinary care. Some people even believe that animals are more like lawn ornaments and furniture than living creatures. Therefore they must be educated that this is not true. Pet stores and breeders bear some of the fault with this. They should be more careful when selling their animals to make sure they are going to owners that know about their care. Many abandoned animals are the result of owners taking on more than they could handle. If pet stores and breeders were to explain the requirements of owning such an animal to the buyer than perhaps they would know more about what they were taking on. There should also be education on matters such as having your pets fixed so they do not breed. While many people may want puppies and kittens because they’re so cute they may not have the ability to care for them when they arrive and find caring homes for them. This can be helped by education also. TV is one way to do this. We’ve all seen the commercials about buckling up, not driving drunk, and not smoking. Would it be possible to get some about proper pet care or adopting from a shelter instead of breeding if you want another pet? Of course! There are many ways to educate the public about animals and proper animal care. They just need to be done.
Animal abuse will remain a problem until it is addressed. The solutions I’ve listed are just a couple ways we can do this. I’m sure there are many more, but nothing will be done as long as no one cares and those that do stand on the sidelines. Many are battling for animal rights already and it’s time something got done. As for the answer to Jeremy Bentham’s question: “Can they suffer?” the answer is “Yes they can.”
Animal Abuse – A Problem of Understated Importance
Jeremy Bentham once said, “The question is not, “Can they reason?” nor, “Can they talk?” but rather, “Can they suffer?” There have been 1,305 cases of animal neglect and abuse recorded in the US so far this year. This number has remained relatively consistent for the last decade. Animal abuse is still a major problem and it must be addressed.
Animal abuse and neglect are both separate issues. Abuse is the intentional mistreatment of an animal. Neglect is the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care. However both issues are very prevalent and serious. Many of you are wondering: Why should I care? Does it really matter how animals are treated? Of course it does. For example intentional cruelty to animals can stem from psychological distress. Oftentimes people are treat animals badly may also abuse their wives or children in the same way. Studies in psychology, criminology and sociology over the last 25 years have shown that violent offenders frequently have histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. Animal abuse and neglect is a national problem that should be addressed properly. In 2007 there were 1,909 cases of animal cruelty and neglect reported in the US and in 2006 there were 2,338 cases reported. It’s safe to assume that there are many, many more cases every year that go unreported and unresolved. Every year hundreds of animals suffer cruelty at their owner’s and sometimes their owner’s friends and family’s hands. As is well known by animal lovers and proven by much research despite what many people may try to believe animals are very intelligent and can feel just as well as the rest of us.
The first solution I propose is stricter laws for animal abuse and neglect. Neglect may stem from ignorance, but that doesn’t make it any better than abuse and therefore the two should be considered equally though the punishments may not be equal depending on the case. Did you know that there are no federal laws on animal abuse and neglect? The court decision depends on the law of the state the crime was commited in. All states now have laws covering animal abuse and neglect, but the severity of the punishment varies widely be state. It is only a misdemeanor in Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota. Animal abuse and neglect is a felony in all other states. The punishments vary regarding jail time and fines. For example the maximum jail time in Alabama and Louisiana is 10 years and in Mississippi and North Carolina it’s only 6 months. Another example is the maximum fines. The largest is Colorado with $500,000 and the smallest is in $1,000 in South Dakota, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Arkansas. These statistics show that the punishment is wildly erratic. That is why I propose that there should be federal laws regarding animal abuse. Many state laws are fairly lax regarding animal abuse. Federal laws should at least address a minimum for the punishment of animal abuse.
Another solution that I would like to propose is education. If owners were properly educated in animal care then perhaps there wouldn’t be as many neglect cases. Many neglect cases are the result of ignorance. Some pet owners just don’t realize that there animal requires constant access to food, water and shelter and requires veterinary care. Some people even believe that animals are more like lawn ornaments and furniture than living creatures. Therefore they must be educated that this is not true. Pet stores and breeders bear some of the fault with this. They should be more careful when selling their animals to make sure they are going to owners that know about their care. Many abandoned animals are the result of owners taking on more than they could handle. If pet stores and breeders were to explain the requirements of owning such an animal to the buyer than perhaps they would know more about what they were taking on. There should also be education on matters such as having your pets fixed so they do not breed. While many people may want puppies and kittens because they’re so cute they may not have the ability to care for them when they arrive and find caring homes for them. This can be helped by education also. TV is one way to do this. We’ve all seen the commercials about buckling up, not driving drunk, and not smoking. Would it be possible to get some about proper pet care or adopting from a shelter instead of breeding if you want another pet? Of course! There are many ways to educate the public about animals and proper animal care. They just need to be done.
Animal abuse will remain a problem until it is addressed. The solutions I’ve listed are just a couple ways we can do this. I’m sure there are many more, but nothing will be done as long as no one cares and those that do stand on the sidelines. Many are battling for animal rights already and it’s time something got done. As for the answer to Jeremy Bentham’s question: “Can they suffer?” the answer is “Yes they can.”