New York City is in the process of passing legislation which will pave the way for the creation of a database to track those who abuse animals. All I can say is it's about time. Thankfully our city council overrode former Mayor Bloomberg's veto of this proposal.
To my mind it doesn't make a bit of sense to fine or give community service to animal abusers without taking away their ability to acquire another pet. How many of these perpetrators are repeat offenders? I don't have any hard figures but my guess would be many of them. There are a variety of reasons people abuse animals. They want to make the animal tough, the victim cannot adequately defend itself (same scenario with children) or because they can.
Five years on the list for first time offenders will save many animals from unspeakable abuse. I've read of many murderers who abused and murdered animals before they graduated to preying on humans. Domestic violence also goes hand in hand with animal abuse with the abuser holding their victims in check by threatening the family pet. The registry is a step in the right direction. Those involved in abuse of any kind should not be custodians of animals. Having a pet is not only a privilege it is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.
Lest we forget some quotes about the treatment of animals:
"I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being." Abraham Lincoln
"Deliberate cruelty to our defenseless and beautiful little cousins is surely one of the meanest and most detestable vices of which a human being can be guilty." William Ralph Inge
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi
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