We were subjected to a self-righteous lecture about how we were bad pet owners because our dog didn't sleep in the house but instead in an insulated doghouse, that we fed her Purina Dog Chow rather than some premium dog food, and that we didn't disregard our vet's recommendation and elect to pay for expensive elective surgery. These are the clowns who might make the call as to what constitutes abuse. Despite the "abusive" treatment, the dog lived to be 17 which is very old for any breed but stunning for a German Shorthair.
We still need to identify and document these animal abusers then get them tested.
Only if those put in the registry have had their day in court and are not listed simply on an accusation.
This is getting a very different reaction from what I expected here which makes me really wonder why. Are animal abusers common; far more common than I could have ever imagined?
You know your audience is conservatives who are leery of government or quasi-government action. Your suggestion seems to be something which can be easily abused. Conservatives are going to strongly object to something where a person could be punished by accusation alone without proper investigation and an impartial trial. It is a HUGE jump to conclude that because someone is opposed to your suggestion that they are animal abusers.
I’m in complete agreement the right checks, balances, and appeal process need to be in effect. We all know all too well how factions within the government can make power grabs and create little fiefdoms.
We have due process; make it work with this too. Let’s get these psychopaths/sociopaths early to both prevent further animal harm and future people harm.
You definitely had a bad experience and I understand your concern. I share it because, well, like yourself; I know the nature of people and how the small-minded ones can let a little authority go right to their heads. Those kind of people have no business being in that kind of position. If they are found to abuse their authority like what you described then they have to be fired or if they caused harm in some way then they need to face a judge and the subsequent punishment.
I had a neighbor one time who chained up a German Shepard to a tree in the yard right behind my house. I never saw anyone spending any time with him and many times the dog knocked over the water bowl. He wasn’t emaciated so he was getting fed at least once a day. One day I looked back there and the dog was gone. He hung himself chasing a cat or something over the fence. That kind of neglect is pure animal abuse. It’s better to give the dog up to a rescue shelter where they can hopefully find a good home for it than to live utterly alone and neglected like that. It really broke my heart to see the dog chained up like that. In a way the dog went to a better place than to suffer day in and day out.
Some people keep their dogs outside; especially working dogs like sled dogs. In my house they have run of the house and property. They get lots of attention and get taken care of. It’s my responsibility to do so. That was the deal I made when I adopted them as my fur kids. They are part of the family as much as any human would be. They watch out for me and I watch out for them. I know not everyone will give that level of care and attention to their dogs. I would urge anyone to always get two dogs so they are never alone unless someone is always home with them or they go wherever the owner goes most the time. Dogs hate being alone just like most people do. I don’t treat them like people because they aren’t people but they get the love and affection a person would get and they give it back many times over. Dogs do talk in their own language. It’s up to us as the supposedly smarter species to figure out how to understand them. It isn’t rocket science but it does take some effort.
To me; seeing someone hurt or badly neglect a dog or any pet is the same as if they were doing it to a child. They hurt, feel pain, and have emotions. They don’t understand why they are being punished for doing nothing wrong when neglected but will instantly forgive someone for it when they stop.
One of the saddest things is when a farm dog starts killing chickens or other livestock. It’s not like the dog can ever be adopted by a city type person with a closed in yard. The dog will always want to run wild so it has to be put down. An otherwise perfectly good dog gets the taste of blood will then kill just for the sake of killing. Can’t have that on a farm. The dog needs to know its place too.