This country needs tougher penalties for animal cruelty. A person who tortures and kills someone's family pet for sadistic pleasure should get more than a few days in jail or a small fine. We urge you to propose a bill that makes this kind of animal cruelty a federal offense punishable by a mandatory jail sentence.
Senator Allard, as a veterinarian you know more than most people that animals can feel pain. The animal cruelty laws in this country are extremely deficient. Here is an example. In Denver Colorado, a 16 year old boy and a 17 year old boy set a cat on fire and threw him out of a moving vehicle. The cat suffered 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body. He underwent a series of operations to save his life. His left rear leg and his tail had to be amputated.The two boys pled guilty to the crime and were sentenced to only 2 days in jail, a $500 fine and 18 months probation.
Across the country, there are cases upon cases like this one where animals are brutally tortured for sadistic pleasure and the perpetrators get little more than a slap on the wrist. You have the power to change this by introducing a bill that makes torturing, maiming, or killing a domestic animal a federal offense, punishable by a mandatory jail sentence.
Animals aren't the only victims of these heinous crimes. Many of them are owned by people who love them and regard them as family members. Statistics show a strong correlation between animal cruelty and violent offenses against people, such as serial killings, rapes and murders. A tough federal law to punish and deter animal cruelty would not only benefit animals, it would help people too.
We urge you to support a bill to make aggravated animal cruelty a federal offense that carries a mandatory jail sentence. Without such a law there is no deterrence for the criminals who commit these horrible acts and there is no justice for the victims, either animal or human.
