Animal Cruelty Laws Have No Teeth

Although not a lawyer, I am the founding director of Spirit Animal Sanctuary, so I have some knowledge regarding animal abuse cases. The main problem that our judicial system runs into are, dogs are considered property.

Not living, breathing and feeling creatures of God. In the eyes of the law, dogs are the same as any other purchased merchandise. So unless we change an animals distinction at the state and federal levels, the laws will always be lacking real teeth for prosecution. Regardless of how horrific the animal abuse crimes committed may be.

I for one, unfortunately do not see these laws changing anytime soon. To do so would open up a Pandora’s box of civil litigation for veterinarians, veterinary clinics, pet product manufacturers, pet food manufacturers, dog walkers, puppy sitters, boarding facilities , groomers everybody and anybody involved in the pet service or product field. The additional liability and malpractice premiums that the respected industries would be required to carry, would put all but the most basic of services out of reach for a certain percentage of the pet public.

You may say this is a good thing. But even in the best of economic times, enacting such legislation would undoubtedly cause undue financial hardships on all the families employed in these industries. Pets would become luxury items for most people, and sad to say, but maybe this would be the only way to stop the homeless pet population.

Now maybe someone much smarter than me, can figure out a way to accomplish one without the other.

THE SPIRIT DOG

Alan Papszycki

COPYRIGHT©2008 A.S.PAPSZYCKI