Lately I've notice a plethora of article about crimes against animals - specifically dogs. I actually got a dog for Christmas. For several months I've been looking for a dog and this one, a beautiful chocalate lab, was found running around the parking lot of my office. Apparently she escaped from her owners. It seems she was an "outdoor dog". This is where I rant. One should not have an "outdoor dog" in Florida. It's too hot, dogs aren't meant to be in 100% humidity and 95 degree weather. (Nor are people, but that's another topic for another day.)
Over the years, I've had many pets. Some people say that if you are good in this life, you will come back to life as one of my dogs. I follow closely the crimes against animals. Michael Vick and the dog fighting, the guy who had sex with his neighbors horse in South Carolina, and most recently this case from New Port Richey, FL, where someone tied a rope around a Puppy's neck and let it grow into the dog's neck. Like my new dog, the dog ran for days before anyone was able to catch him and get him help.
Then there's a story in today's Tampa Tribune about a nutcase who has been overbreeding dogs for four years. The SPCA investigators go to his house and take dogs, but no one stops him. The dogs are sick and malnurished.
Do people realize that if they take care of their pets, feed them, and let them inside of their homes and hearts they'll have the best friend of their lives? What else in life is as constant as a good dog?
Unfortunately, the law doesn't protect animals. There's a misdemeanor and felony charge of animal cruelty but it is rarely prosecuted. (see FL Statute 828) In fact, dog fighting is only a misdemeanor.
One more story from Christmas - a New Port Richey doberman New Port Richey doberman ran away one month ago and was returned home for Christmas. The owner's say she escaped from the back yard. If she was left in the back yard - why do you think she ran away? Shocker of all shocker's the owner was a cop.
