Animals Have Feelings Too

              Animal cruelty should be stopped simply because they have feelings just like us humans. Animals cannot speak for themselves so it’s our job to care for animals the way they should be cared for. Children are taught at young age’s moral and ethical ways to care for living creatures. This is why many people grow up knowing that it’s not right to harm an animal. People that don’t consider harming an animal in abusive ways may not have grown up learning about these values. Animal cruelty is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly, not only for the animal but also for the abuser.
          Although animals may not be as intelligent as us humans it doesn’t mean that they can’t feel the pain and neglect. The worst part of the matter is that they can’t speak for themselves and the only way this issue is going to be addressed to make stricter laws against neglecting animals is if help to spread the seriousness of the matter. “Recently, in PA, there was a newspaper story of two Mennonite farmers who housed 80 dogs; both were told to get vet care for about a dozen neglected animals. Instead of putting out any money for their "crops," they shot and killed all 80 dogs. There were no legal penalties because there were no laws against owners disposing of personal property. Because of those dogs' deaths, PA laws are changing to make those kinds of actions - or taking no action at all – illegal (Animal Cruelty: Animals Have Feelings, Too 27).” It’s so sad to hear stories like this and that those pet owners killed the lives of 80 dogs and continued their lives without at punishment. It shouldn’t take things that this to change the law, we need to prevent stories like this from happening. By failing to step into a situation where you know an animal is being neglected makes you equally guilty.

            Animal cruelty may never be stopped but it can most certainly be prevented. You, yourself can help this prevention if you just remember to word “EAGLES”. “E = Educate yourself and your children about animal rights and care; A = take Action against anyone that abuses, neglects, or abandons an animal; G = Get involved in any way you can, with your time, talents or money; L = help pass Laws that provide stronger penalties for inhumane treatment of animals; E = Eliminate animal cruelty in puppy mills, illegal dog fighting, on farms, in slaughter houses, in animal laboratories; and S = Stop animal cruelty in whatever form it appears (Animal Cruelty: Animals Have Feelings, Too 50).” Just but doing one of these steps can help to save an animal from the pain and neglect that they are going through. Imagine if that was you being treated like that and not being able to speak for yourself, wouldn’t you want someone to take action?  I know I would.

 

 

Work Cited

Animal Cruelty: Animals Have Feelings, Too. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. < http://voices.yahoo.com/animal-cruelty-animals-feelings-too-3753878.html > .