Appalling Case of Animal Abuse
An appalling case of animal abuse occurred near my alma mater this week and it sickens me. The local news reported a 33 year old Philadelphia father, surrounded by his small children, decided to teach his young pit bull a lesson after the puppy nipped at him. His solution involved dousing the animal in alcohol and setting him on fire. The man’s children reported the incident to school officials. The dog has apparently survived but has a tenuous recovery from severe burns to his face and neck.
This type of cruelty stirs a nauseating anger that grows the more I think about it. Pennsylvania Animal Cruelty laws state “It is a Misdemeanor in the first degree if a person: “Kills, maims, mutilates, tortures or disfigures any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise; or administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise” This is punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years.” This particular suspect is facing many other charges such as child endangerment and arson.
Remove children from the situation and this guy (or a similar perpetrator) could get a slap on the wrist. A $1000 fine is insufficient for this type of malicious disregard for life. Imprisonment up to 2 years is reasonable, but very rarely do the courts drop the hammer on animal abusers. This confuses me given the known ties between animal cruelty and domestic violence. It has long been understood that animal abusers often graduate to domestic violence. Regardless of personal beliefs about treatment of animals, it would be prudent of the courts to look at “gateway abuses” critically. I wonder how this man responds to his small children when they misbehave.
We need to seriously consider the way we handle perpetrators of heinous acts of animal cruelty. Anger management, domestic violence classes, and compulsory prison sentences should be mandated. Psychological evaluations could help prevent future abuses and should be incorporated. Perhaps the courts should even require community service in an animal shelter. A small fine for first time offenders equates to a slap on the wrist and does nothing to prevent further abuses of both animals and people. Drop the hammer. Please.
“We need to seriously consider the way we handle perpetrators of heinous acts of animal cruelty.”
YES!!! Cruelty to animals should definately be viewed as gateway behavior One only needs to look at the likes of Dahmer to know what is coming down the road.
I hope the kids and the dog will recover physically and emotionally. Where was the mother in this?
1Another story from the same area tells of a man who decided that burning down his ex-girlfriend’s home would be a good way to solve his anger issues. Both that guy and the scum who set the dog on fire should be locked up together and we’ll see who’s the ‘bigger man.’
One small thing, Dr. Koehl, the word is ‘regardless’ (without regard). I love your writing and your passion, and hope you aren’t offended.
2KateH – Fixed! I fight so hard not to over edit I sometimes miss the obvious. Thanks!
3Dr. K; I sure have done my best to report heinous & premeditated cruelty, Whether a “human” link will ever develop or turn out, I have no idea. I sure hope not!
But to always wonder what type of humans will take advantage of the helpless & hopeless will never leave “my ” mind until death.
Thanks for compassion & awareness. You are in the midst of one difficult area (geography)
4That guy is one sick dude! Abusing animals is a gateway behavior to other more serious problems like domestic abuse & I hope that Children’s Services are looking into this guy’s family life.
5Hi Dr. K. This is an appalling story, but sadly not an isolated one. You make a very good point about the courts not dropping the hammer on animal abuse sentences. Is there anything in your opinion that can be done to change this attitude? Even people who otherwise seem like nice, regular people often treat their animals in a way that I find truly appalling. Do you think a wide public campaign would help? Do veterinarians get involved with trying to put such pressure to change the attitudes? It is extremely sad, frustrating, and disturbing.
6omg quite a few of the opinions readers submit are just absurd, sometimes i ponder if they honestly read the posts and threads before writing a comment or if perhaps they pretty much read over the title of the post and submit the very first thing that pops into their heads. nevertheless, it’s pleasurable to read keen commentary occasionally as opposed to the same, classic oppinion vomit that i usually discover on the internet
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