Everyone has seen the sad animal commercials with the abused and neglected dogs at least once in their life. Some watch it in anger or sadness, and some simply turn the channel because of how unsettling it may be. Everyone has their own opinions on animal abuse and neglect. Some don’t realize the impact it can have on them until they personally see the sadness in the puppy’s eyes. According to the Humane Society of the United States, animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal.
Whether the animal is a pet, farm animal, or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly. Deliberate cruelty may involve, shooting, or stabbing animals. Yes, this does happen. Neglect however, is simply not giving an animal food, water, shelter, or vet care. Because this misery is often prolonged, animals who die from neglect often suffer just as much as animals who are deliberately harmed. Animal cruelty can happen anywhere, and at any time. It is up to those who witness it to put a stop to it. Animal abuse traces back as far as one can remember.
Many felt it was inappropriate to take their anger out on humans, so they resulted in hurting innocent animals instead. Although the abuse rate in children and adults is high and just as important, the abuse rate in animal’s sky rockets. Luckily there was people who were authorities enough to make a difference for those animals. Some of the first steps in stopping animals abuse and neglect started in the mid 1800’s. In 1866 the American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals evolved.
This was the first animal rights group formed, and it worked to pass new legislation and protect animals from inhumane treatment. In 1944 the Greenhill Humane society was formed. Their work helped find abandoned animals homes, and solve overpopulation of animals in Eugene, Oregon. Next, one of the largest societies was formed; The humane society of America. Like stated previously this is one of the largest animal activist groups in the United States. To this day it still works to create legislation and education for animal rights (VanLoo).
Sense than many other organizations and societies have worked together to help end the abuse and neglect against animals. Many of these organizations have websites where you can donate and learn more about the events these poor animals endure. When the roots of animal cruelty are traced back as far as they can go, many situations led to dog fights. According to the website Learning to Give, the topic of animal abuse goes back to ancient times. Fighting innocent dogs for sport can be traced back to the 12th century after the war that ensued when the Romans invaded Britain.
When the British lost the war, they relied on the tenacity and endurance of their dogs. They then began exporting them for use in pit fights against larger animals like wild boar and bulls. Centuries passed and these fights continued to occur across Europe until the baiting of larger animals was prohibited in 1835. Once this occurred dog-on-dog combat became the cheaper, legal alternative. Dog fighting is now defined as an inhumane bloodspot where dogs who have been bred, conditioned, and trained to fight are placed in a pit to fight each other for spectator entertainment or profit.
Fights average one to two hours, ending when one of the dogs cannot continue (Humanesociety). Dog fighting now is a felony offense in all 50 states, and it is a felony offense under federal law as well. When dogs fight obviously injuries are going to be sustained. Most injuries are severe and often fatal. Unfortunately, these dogs are trained to fight until they have no fight left in them. Meaning, they fight until death starts to fight them. The injuries included in dog fights are often: severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.
Many of the dogs used in fights die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, and/or infection. This can occur hours or days after the planned fight. Unfortunately, healthy dogs who are born “cold’ or won’t fight are often used to sic other dogs as training (Humanesociety). Professional boxers practice on a punching bag, whereas these fighting dogs practice on innocent animals who can’t defend themselves. As many people know dogs are not born mean, they are raised that way. Once a dog feels threatened and sees abusive behavior, they are going to react in the way their instinct leads them too.
It is easy to misread animals as well. Some breeds have common stereotypes. For example, people often are frightened by Pitbull’s or Boxers because of their outward appearance, or stories on the T. V. However, some of the sweetest dogs you meet may easily be those breeds. Any dog can be frightening and harm a person or animal with no reason. Many times, that is simply because of how they are raised, not because of the type of dog they are. To this day dogs and animals are still abused. Unfortunately, there is only so much the organizations and law enforcements can do.
Many times the only way law enforcement can do something about a situation is if it is reported. They are unaware of what occurs in someone’s household, therefore is it crucial that the common person keeps an eye out for suspicious behavior. Out of all the animals that are neglected and abused: 70. 1% are dogs, 20. 9% are cats, and 24. 1% are other animals. Ironically some of the easiest house hold companions tend to be cats and dogs. Reports have shown that 71 percent of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets.
This simply means that for those homes that deal with domestic violence, the people are not the only target (Humanesociety). Many people do not realize the severity of this topic until they look at the statistics. According to the ASPCA, approximately 7. 6 million animals who were once companions enter animal shelters nationwide each year. Of those, approximately 3. 9 million are dogs and 3. 4 million are cats. These animals are taken in because they were either left at the shelter, found on the street, or removed from a unstable home.
All three of these events result back to abuse and neglect. Although animal shelters want to have the ability to take in as many animals as they can, and hold on to them until they find a forever home, they can’t. There are too many animals, and too many people who think it is okay to keep populating these fur babies just for them to be left homeless. Unfortunately, only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home. According to Do Something. org, 2. 7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there isn’t enough adoptive homes.
The main reason animals are in shelters is because the owners either gave them up or animal control finds them on the street, hungry and homeless. Now that the light has been shown on what not to do to these poor creatures, it’s time to focus on what can be done in order to provide a safe and stable home for your loyal companion. Unfortunately, only 10% of the dogs out there will find a forever home. When they do it is important to keep their body in shape, their heart healthy, and their mind happy. Just as humans eat daily, are able to use the restroom, and have the means for exercise, so should the animals that are taken in.
Although they are a huge responsibility, having a loving companion like that can’t compare to anything else in the entire world. Dogs are similar to humans, if you treat a person with respect and dignity they are likely to return those gestures. Furthermore, the same goes to our pets. Although abuse and neglect still occurs in the world, there are ways in which it can be prevented. Make a difference and change the life of a hopeless fur baby. That can start by, reporting neglect and abuse if you see it, spreading the word of this unsettling predicament, and simply getting your animal spayed or neutered.
The next time you don’t feel like making the drive on your lunch breaks to let your animals out, think about how that can be related back to neglect. As stated previously, neglect is simply not providing the care that is necessary for survival. Because this malpractice is often prolonged, animals who die from neglect often suffer just as much as animals who are deliberately harmed. Animal cruelty can happen anywhere, and at any time. It is up to those who witness it to put a stop to it.