In wake of Phoenix, Gov. questions animal cruelty laws
Invoking the memory of a pit bull set ablaze in Baltimore, Gov. Martin O'Malley has asked the state's attorney general to review Maryland's animal cruelty laws to determine if they are sufficient to deter such "heinous" crimes.
The legal review comes as the Baltimore City Health Department is seeking help in finding whoever tortured a cat found bound with a chain and rope to a utility pole and severely burned by firecrackers on Wednesday. Animal Control officers found the dead animal in the 3700 block of Lewiston Ave. near Arlington Elementary School.
"We must communicate to our young people that cruelty to animals is not acceptable behavior," Olivia D. Farrow, interim commissioner of the Health Department, said in a statement. She asked that witnesses to any dog fighting or animal abuse call 311, the city service line.
The governor noted that his family has three dogs - a golden retriever named Lady, a cocker spaniel, Rex, and teacup poodle, Winnie, short for Winston - and two cats. He said he considers them "part of our family" and that he was "deeply disturbed and saddened" by what happened to Phoenix, the nickname caregivers gave the burned dog.
Comments
Absolutely something needs to be done to deter cruilty to animals! If the punishments are harsher and the fines are higher, than I hope that those who care nothing about the innocent animals they hurt will at least be relectant to hurt another animal in fear of stiffer punishment.
And for those who feel that punishing people for abusing and neglecting their animals is a waste of taxpayers time and money, then they should at least acknowledge the fact that abuse to animals is only the beginning of a lifetime of crime and violence that could, and most likely will be, committed against innocent human beings.
Cruilty to animals not only affects the animals themselves but also the entire community -- whether you're an animal lover or not.
Something needs to be done to end the culture of violence in the City!
Posted by: BeagleMom | June 19, 2009 9:13 AM
Baltimore sure has a lot of vile people. Punishment for animal neglect and cruelty needs to be upgraded to very long prison terms, psychiatric evaluations, stiff fines, for starters. Look at the serial killers portfolios; you will get a glimpse of what these animal cruelty losers are aspiring to become. It is hard to believe that animal cruelty has not been considered a truly serious crime when case after case proves that the perpetrators are headed into more violent crimes because the thrill is just too intense for them to stop. This is not rocket science.
Posted by: J Harlin | June 19, 2009 2:20 PM