I'm horrified...is this considered normal in MS? (West: law, stores)

[aquietpath]

Tgraeter - kudos to you to devoting your whole career as a wildlife biologist. But you DO get paid for it, correct? I really don't know much about what you do, but wonder if there is much need for a wildlife biologist in the private sector; I'm assuming you hold a government position with a pension waiting for you sometime down the road. Not faulting you for that, but there's no reason to adopt a superior attitude because of how you choose to earn a living. I'm an artist, but what I do for a living is immaterial; perhaps a more appropriate question would be how do I spend my time and money with no expectation of any reward other than feeling I have made a difference in the lives of defenseless animals. It's been wonderful to hear others in this thread who do the same.

I'm not a fan of hunting, but I realize it is a big part of the culture here. But I've heard too many stories from poor shots - about deer who were shot and got away, only to suffer and die a painful death. And just today someone told me about their husband who was going coon hunting. I asked what he did with the coons and she said "He kills them". When asked for what, she said neither she or her husband ate them, but it was a sport. Killing for the joy of killing. THAT'S the kind of hunting I abhor.

I DO believe that person who hit the dog and kept driving did it on purpose. One of the locals who told me about picking up strays for target practice said many people hit them "just because they can". Now, that is truly sickening. In many states up north it is against the law to hit a dog and not stop...here it is at worst some kind of sick sport and at best a callous lack of empathy for the dog or his owner. That's the mentality I just don't understand.

Poptone, you asked my views about abortion. Not that it has anything to do with this thread, but since you asked: I believe ALL life is precious. But there are plenty of pro-life advocates, especially in this bible belt. There doesn't seem to be all that many folks down here that want to work on solving the problem of unwanted, abused and abandoned animals with a humane solution, and that is where I choose to focus my attention.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by aquietpath

Tgraeter - kudos to you to devoting your whole career as a wildlife biologist. But you DO get paid for it, correct? I really don't know much about what you do, but wonder if there is much need for a wildlife biologist in the private sector; I'm assuming you hold a government position with a pension waiting for you sometime down the road. Not faulting you for that, but there's no reason to adopt a superior attitude because of how you choose to earn a living. I'm an artist, but what I do for a living is immaterial; perhaps a more appropriate question would be how do I spend my time and money with no expectation of any reward other than feeling I have made a difference in the lives of defenseless animals. It's been wonderful to hear others in this thread who do the same.

I'm not a fan of hunting, but I realize it is a big part of the culture here. But I've heard too many stories from poor shots - about deer who were shot and got away, only to suffer and die a painful death. And just today someone told me about their husband who was going coon hunting. I asked what he did with the coons and she said "He kills them". When asked for what, she said neither she or her husband ate them, but it was a sport. Killing for the joy of killing. THAT'S the kind of hunting I abhor.

I DO believe that person who hit the dog and kept driving did it on purpose. One of the locals who told me about picking up strays for target practice said many people hit them "just because they can". Now, that is truly sickening. In many states up north it is against the law to hit a dog and not stop...here it is at worst some kind of sick sport and at best a callous lack of empathy for the dog or his owner. That's the mentality I just don't understand.

Poptone, you asked my views about abortion. Not that it has anything to do with this thread, but since you asked: I believe ALL life is precious. But there are plenty of pro-life advocates, especially in this bible belt. There doesn't seem to be all that many folks down here that want to work on solving the problem of unwanted, abused and abandoned animals with a humane solution, and that is where I choose to focus my attention.

Look. I know you mean well. But you are bringing urban sensibilities out into the country, and simply live in denial at what dogs can become once set free in the wild. As often than not, they turn into hunting packs. And hunting packs are highly dangerous. To wit:

Killer dogs mystify Lexington *| ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/news/killer-dogs-mystify-lexington-117412.html - broken link)

Now, read that article carefully. According to people who lived in the area, those dogs weren't aggressive--right up to the point that they killed two elderly people for food. And every single one of those dogs was probably set free by some idiot who drove home and slept soundly that night.

Yet, to some naif like you, the dogs in question were probably warm and adorable animals who weren't hurting anyone. Until they did.

Sorry, but a dog in the wild is a wild animal. One is probably mostly harmless. 2-3 are a nuisance and a danger to children and pets. Four or more? A serious danger to anyone. And no starry-eyed idealism changes that one whit, particularly in light of the fact that dogs are social animals that naturally group together. And, while we're at it, try talking to a farmer whose crops have been trampled by deer and tell him that deer hunting is a terrible thing. I'll sit over here and watch.

So, which do you value more? A pack of wild dogs that stand a very real chance of injuring or even killing? Or a human being? Seems like your neighbors have a far better grasp on reality than you do, regardless of how inelegant their arguments may be.

[poptones]

Not to mention coons. Have you ever seen what a rabid coon can do to a dog? There's a very good reason it's called "sport." I don't find it enjoyable because I am not a fan of killing, but there are those who do and to stand in judgement of them for this fact alone is not only naive, but dangerous. Again tonight I had to drive home from my brother's home and again I nearly hit three deer. They're so overpopulated they've nearly lost their innate fear of humans as predators - I saw a pack of them on the road, slowed to a crawl and blasted my horn and it was probably 15 seconds before they finally darted off into the woods. This situation is dangerous and that herd needs thinning - not for food or for sport or so we can "trap them and take them away to the zoos" - it's a dangerous situation for the humans in the area and for the deer.

And I still cannot fathom those who think it "inhumane" for a deer to bleed out from a wound when so many are eaten piece by piece, often by those dogs some find it so offensive to kill. What do you think bobcats and coyotes and wolves and wild dogs eat? The problem in part is BECAUSE we're underpopulated with other predators. Predators serve an important function in our ecology no matter the number of legs they walk on.

And, frankly, the attitude of some in this thread belies their "enlightened" or "evolved" self image. If you're looking down your nose at another because of their beliefs it might be a good idea to take an honest look in the mirror down that nose and see how the slope suits you. Objectivity is no enemy to truth.

[2HHI]

Originally Posted by seain dublin

Sorry there is something about the south that increases the problem.

We have been in FL two years and every week it is child abuse or animal abuse in the news.

Different breed of people down here, that you don't find up north or out west.

Lets face facts when you look at the obesity rates, the lack of education, etc...it is always higher in the southern states.

It all ties in together.

As much as I love MS...and I do...I have to agree with this poster.
To add to the original poster horror, lets not forget the story about Buddy, the puppy lab that was here on the coast.
It was widely publicized in numerous news reports here. Someone picked up a stray lab puppy (shocking...a stray dog in MS...how unusual) and took plumbers pipe glue and glued his eyes and mouth shut. Someone later discovered the dog, took it to the humane society, and it had to be euthanized. Sadly, MS does not have much respect for what is pets, let alone animals in general. It is one of the things I hate about MS.
In defense of the Gulf Coast, however, we have a very new, modern and up to date Humane Society, (not big enough though) and some very vocal locals that are shedding light and attention on MS lack of animal cruelty laws and lackadaisical approach to the treatment of animals in general; hopefully, the laws will tighten up. Keep in mind, this is the poorest state in the nation with minimal funds. Many residents here can barely care for or feed themselves, animal rights are of no concern to them and the legislature continually puts this issue on their non existent back burner.

[Hank Springer]

As one who has devoted much of my life to the training of dogs and thereby developing a broad knowledge of canine behavior, I can attest that wild dogs, those resulting from negligent handling and over population, constitute a very dangerous element.
I have spent more time than most in the caring for and protection of animals.
My opinion of the most practical and humane approach to the wild dog problem it simple to destroy them.
Those who find fault with the hunters for injuring an animal have never seen these dogs fight among themselves. I could tell you some stories that would bring tears to your liberal eyes.

[tgraeter]

Originally Posted by aquietpath

Tgraeter - kudos to you to devoting your whole career as a wildlife biologist. But you DO get paid for it, correct? I really don't know much about what you do, but wonder if there is much need for a wildlife biologist in the private sector; I'm assuming you hold a government position with a pension waiting for you sometime down the road. Not faulting you for that, but there's no reason to adopt a superior attitude because of how you choose to earn a living. I'm an artist, but what I do for a living is immaterial; perhaps a more appropriate question would be how do I spend my time and money with no expectation of any reward other than feeling I have made a difference in the lives of defenseless animals. It's been wonderful to hear others in this thread who do the same.


.

Sorry if I came across as a superior attitude. I hope one day you see the real value of hunters and the important role they play. Hunters and fishermen pay for almost all wildlfe and fisheries habitat restoration and getting newly aquired land that will never be developed, talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Do your own research and see how much money, time and effort is contributed. See how much of this effort reaches the wildlife to benefit them. About 90% of contributions to PETA and organizations like them go to overhead. If hunting were somehow banned and people took up golf for instance, I guess all their money would go there. Maybe people would just veg out in front of a TV and do nothing. This is not something new. The only new thing is believing humans have no part. Some people (PETA, Humane Society) believe we are (human race) above things like this. They also believe that the people that participate in these activities (hunting and fishing) are some form of sub-human that has no place in this New World. I will gladly stand with my sub-human brothers and sisters. I guess fortunately for us (sub-humans) about 80 % of society supports regulated hunting and trapping. I guess the 10% of anti-hunters will have to put up with all of us illiterate morons running around chasing animals. Maybe one day we will learn how to drive to the grocery store and hunt down a peice of beef wrapped in plastic wrap.

[aquietpath]

I remember the story about Buddy.....he was found in a box on the side of the road, eyes, ears and mouth glued shut and a broken leg. He was whimpering, in great pain and had to be euthanized. It is by no means an isolated incident - there are horrible cases of animal abuse everywhere. What makes MS so different, though, is the attitude surrounding them by a frightening majority of people. MS has the weakest animal cruelty laws in the country. No matter how horrific the abuse, the perpetrator can only be charged with a misdemeanor resulting in a maximum punishment of 6 months jail time and a fine of $1,000. Often, the penalty doesn't even come close to the maximum allowed.

MS-FACT (Mississippi Facing Animal Cruelty Together) has a very informative website, and is garnering signatures to have our laws toughened to make animal abuse a felony.

Hunting and animal abuse are 2 different things. Although I could never participate in hunting, I do agree that for some, done ethically and for the purpose of eating the killed animal, it may be right for them.

Dumping off animals, neglect, abuse, torture, deliberately driving over animals, using them for target practice, and other forms of sadistic behavior must and should be against the law, with stiff penalties. And if that is looking down my nose at the perpetrators of these actions, so be it. No matter how you look at it, it is wrong. Being "politically correct" and not wanting to judge those that do these things will only allow more of the same behavior and things will never change for the better.

[poptones]

**** fighting is illegal; dog fighting is illegal. Both are already felonies. What you are talking about is making other, lesser forms a felony. Are you really aware what impact a felon has on us all? Never mind we have to support the felon, that person forever loses their right to bear a weapon or even to vote in many states. It may disqualify them from employment, which means we have forever to bear that load on the system.

[Hank Springer]

Aquietpath, With the exception of dog fighting, animal abuse does not constitute a felony under the laws of any state.
Sorry, but the best we can do, whether the violation occurs in Mississippi, Texas or Ohio, is a misdemeanor.
The attitude of the people of Mississippi is strongly against abuse of animals. We spend more time with animals than any yankee, bleeding heart liberal and demonstrate more respect for the same.

[peppermint]

Other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee have a felony provision for animal abuse. The following website lays everything out pretty clearly: Cruelty Laws. Mississippi & Arkansas have no felony provision for animal abuse. I think it's a shame, but obviously others do not.