Charity's Law: Make Bestiality a Felony
- by: Megan Drake, Care2 Blogger
- recipient: All United States Federal Legislators
Three Pit bull puppies were sexually molested and abused in North Carolina. Metal screws and other foreign objects were placed in their rectums causing intestinal perforations. Charity has since died of her injuries.
Hope and Faith are in rescue but are still emotionally vulnerable. They have had four surgeries each so far, due to the injuries. The plight of these three innocent pups - the abuse happened when they were 6 weeks old - has spurred a desire for new laws.
Currently, only 17 states make bestiality a felony. They are: Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
Fourteen states consider it a misdemeanor, those being: Arkansas, California, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin.
The remaining states do not address bestiality as a crime against animals. They are: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Montana, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. Some of those states do consider it a misdemeanor if pornography or a minor child is involved.
Evidently, the fact that animals are possessions under the law does not allow for compassion toward the actual abuse victim -- the animal -- regarding bestiality. While statistics indicate about one percent of animal abuse cases involve bestiality, the heinous nature of this act is one that needs addressing at a federal level.
More importantly, bestiality should be considered a felony - NOT a misdemeanor - and carry appropriate mandatory prison sentencing.
Respectfully demand a federal law be passed to make bestiality a felony in all 50 states.
Three North Carolina Pit bull puppies - at the age of six weeks - were sexually molested and otherwise abused with metal screws and other foreign objects placed in their rectums causing intestinal perforations. Named Charity, Faith and Hope, these terrified sister puppies suffered immensely at the hands of their abusers. Charity has since died of her injuries.
Studies have shown those who abuse animals often progress to harm humans, children and adults. Making bestiality a felony will help to identify and remove those individuals from society before they move on to human beings.
All animals are living, breathing, sentient beings that deserve respect and an opportunity to live free. They should be provided the same level of care and love that all living beings require. Because animals do not speak our language, we the human beings need to be their voice.
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