Animal abuse in America is often swept under the rug or forgotten about. Their silent screams are never truly heard and the offenders often go unpunished. When faced with the problem I feel as though many people feel too small to lend a helping hand. However that could not be the farthest thing from the truth. More ways than you think are available nowadays for your voice to be heard and your actions to make a difference.
As comical as it may seem research has shown that animals do indeed have physical and mental feelings. They are feeling that abuse put upon them just wondering, why me? What did I do wrong? Standing up for someone who does not have a voice could be counted as a big accomplishment in life. Even just spreading anti-abuse messages by word of mouth, social media, anywhere really can make a difference. Most of the time animal behavior is also attributed to how they are treated. For instance if you abuse the animal they will fight back or learn that aggressive behavior. (Lepore)
“Recognition of animal sentience in law has been a big-ticket reform item both in Australia and internationally. Sentience describes the ability of animals to experience feelings such as pain or pleasure. Ascribing sentience to animals represents a big step forward, by acknowledging that animals are more than their current legal classification as property suggests.” (Whittaker)
The fact that most of these offenders go unpunished or just get a slap on the wrist, it really unbelievable. One crude person actually poured acid on a couple of dogs in the street and left them there suffering in agony. This person will likely never be caught and/or suffer any consequences. In another case of blatant abuse a dog was neglected, not given any food or water. When the dog, now just skin and bones, was removed both were found in the home but still kept from the animal. Outrageous act like theses occur every single day without a second thought.
One of the cases that makes my skin crawl the most is one straight out of my own home state. According to Michigan Humane, a Detroit man actually broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment and stole the dog amongst numerous other things. He then tortured and abused the dog while sending the girl pictures and videos of it. These kinds of stories make it easy to want to stand up and fight against these abusers. To me it’s not just animal abusers it is in a general abusers category. It fits in right along human abusers, so many times these crimes link anyhow. Just like that Detroit man committed theft with the abuse, research shows that if someone abuses animals, more than likely they will also become domestic abusers as well.
“Studies show that domestic violence victims will often remain in an abusive relationship for fear of what will happen to their pets if they seek help. Their fear is well founded, as one study showed that 89% of abused women reported that their abuser threatened, abused, or killed their companion animals.” (Griffin,2023)
Something I learned during my research that I did not even think about is the fact that many people who are abused will not leave the situation if they cannot take their pets with them.
Many situations of abuse are also attributed to hoarding situations. Animals of all types are often found living with little to no food or water. They are also usually kept in cramped conditions amongst their own feces as well. In a case pointed out by Janet McDonald titled Brinkley vs. County of Flagler, over 358 animals were found in a home with those exact awful conditions. Hoarding presents a tougher aspect along with it. McDonald states that many of these cases are people with a mental disorder most of the time not seeing any problems with how the animals are living.
There is a guiding light behind some of these cases. The legal system seems to be taking a larger approach on some of these case and matters. For instance in Michigan the attorney general Dana Nessel even partnered with authorities to investigate and prosecute a case of animal abuse. “In 2018, the Michigan anticruelty statute was amended to create first-, second-, and third-degree animal cruelty offenses.” (Griffin, 2023) In South Australia the government even asks for feedback, which I think is innovative. There law has actually just strengthened to include decapods. Janet McDonald makes a good point when talking about Florida law however. She says that while laws are increasing and abusers are getting more harsh punishments, the law can still only help if they are made aware. This is where you can use your voice.
Everyday we make posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, you name it. It would only take moments to post anything to create awareness. Use your voice to make sure that people aren’t just pushing this issue to the side.
There are so many different ways to help most of them take only seconds. Go to Starbucks everyday? You can collect up that spare change and donate it to your local animal shelter. Have blankets and towels that don’t fit your style anymore? Most shelters even take those as well. Even like I mentioned before even just talking about it, creating that reminder that the problem is there and us the ones that are fighting it are not going away.
Change does not mean you have to completely change your lifestyle. Everyone’s actions are seen and sometimes may even rub off on others. If you see something that you know is hurting an animal report it. You can even report it anonymously if that makes it more confortable for you. You could even information drop according to PETA, some activists just plain leaves brochures around. People have left them at doctors offices and even airplanes.
McDonald, Janet A. “Defending Those Who Cannot Speak: Civil and Criminal Prosecution of Animal Abuse.” Florida Bar Journal, vol. 88, no. 9, Nov. 2014, p. 30. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.495721586&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Study.com, 2023, study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-prevent-report-animal-abuse.html. Accessed 10 Mar. 2023.
Whittaker, Alexandra. “As the States Consider Animal Welfare Law Reform, What Changes Would Curb Cruelty against Animals?” The Conversation, theconversation.com/as-the-states-consider-animal-welfare-law-reform-what-changes-would-curb-cruelty-against-animals-201089.
Griffin, Ann. “Protecting People and Pets from Domestic Violence.” Michigan Humane, 13 Feb. 2023, www.michiganhumane.org/protecting-people-and-pets-from-domestic-violence/.
