Stricter Laws Against Animal Abuse

We the undersigned are asking that there are stricter laws put in place for people who abuse animals and to make sure these laws are properly enforced.  I have read with dismay many news reports in this country and around the world of the most violent cases of animal abuse in which the accused has been given a caution, fine or has been banned from owning an animal for a specified period of time.  This sort of punishment is not sufficient to deter people who commit acts of cruelty and does not show society that non human animals deserve the same protection to that afforded to human animals.

When I try to imagine what possible motive animal abusers entertain for subjecting their animal victims to such malicious, heinous acts of brutality, I fail. To voluntarily engage in such malicious behaviour suggests sadistic tendencies. These actions caused unmitigated pain and suffering, and demonstrate an incontrovertible lack of morality regarding other living beings and a gross disrespect for the law. In fact, a person who shows such a remarkable lack of compassion towards non-human animals has the ability to show such indifference towards human animals. This link between animal and human abuse has been well established, and if we excuse this type of criminal behaviour, or agree to a lesser punishment, we only harm ourselves by unjustly nullifying cruelty as acceptable behaviour.

I am hoping that you will take an unyielding position against animal cruelty and should any accused be found guilty, that you take measures to hold them accountable by sentencing them in accordance with the maximum penalty allowed. If the justice system does not administer the harshest penalty available, it indeed excuses malicious behaviour towards sentient beings, and to excuse this type of sadistic cruelty harms all by disregarding the basic moral tenet of respecting life and appreciating the value of it. 

Apathy permeates throughout society and damages all, and we therefore need to teach our children that the law does not excuse, allow, or enable cruelty against human or non-human animals. We need to demonstrate in both word and action that the human essence of empathy does not exist to excuse maliciousness, it exists to provide compassion and justice to the brutalized and punishment to those who willingly deviate from this capacity. If we do not do our duty to provide this, we harm animals and invite injustice into our society.

Finally, if the accused is placed on probation, I urge you to stipulate that there be no animals living in any home in which they reside or place of employment where they work and not just that they not own an animal. 

I know your time is limited and I want to thank you for your attention and consideration