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Someone posted this quote on the volunteer bulletin board at the SPCA. I find it exceptionally appropriate:
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” - Mohandas Gandhi
Animal-cruelty laws and punishment in the U.S. have been getting stricter over the years, thanks to the tireless efforts of groups like the ASPCA and local SPCA chapters. I applaud them for their work and would hug each and every one of their staff members if I could.
When you consider the fact that people who are abusive to animals typically do not distinguish between cruelty to animals and cruelty to people*, they should be punished equally for crimes against both. Especially when you consider that (1) some of the most notorious serial killers in recent years had an often lengthy history of violence against animals--Jeffrey Dahmer killed his neighbors' pets, "Son of Sam" David Berkowtiz shot his neighbor's Labrador retriever, Albert DeSalvo (the "Boston Strangler") shot arrows into boxes of trapped cats and dogs--and (2) the death of a pet can affect as many "survivors" as the death of a child or other loved one; why should their lives count for less because they are not human? They feel pain just as intensely as humans do and their owners suffer an enormous loss when their pets are treated cruelly.
Obviously, I have quite a bit to say about this matter (imagine that!). I do not appreciate the stigma that people who prefer animals to babies or children are insensitive, callous freaks of nature. I try to see all living things as equally deserving of basic rights such as safety and security. The right to be regarded as something of value is sadly limited to humans in most parts of the world and I would jump at the chance to change that, in whatever little way I can.
* In 85% of the households where domestic violence occurs, an animal is also abused. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Office of Public Engagement, 2004.)
Posted by ayelet at April 23, 2007 10:56 AM