[Sam I Am]

To the OP -

I have been involved in Rottweiler rescue more years than I will admit to - and it still tears me up inside when I read about these horrible things people will do to animals. All that being said, it DOES raise awareness....when people read about the dog that was starved, they will tend to be more aware of the next door neighbor's dog that looks thinner than it really should - or the green icky water....they take notice of the strays. For people who are truly sensitive, it is upsetting - but there are those of us who have waded through dog crap on a bitterly cold January night to help because of stories that hit the internet.

You don't have to make yourself ill reading, but you can still be a tremendous advocate for the animals by simply being aware that not all animals are loved and cherished. Talk to your friends and co-workers about the need for heartworm medication...read up on trimming toenails or grooming or proper nutrition. You can be an example in motion, but don't subject yourself to more than you can emotionally handle. It's very draining and can suck the life out of you - there are plenty of nuts like me wandering around who are perfectly willing to dig into the bad things, but we need people like YOU to keep the bad things from happening as much.

[junkman18]

Originally Posted by tao

We're all pet lovers in this forum so no one needs to be convinced to be kind to animals. These stories are extremely upsetting to me. I want to be part of the Pet Forum but I'm concerned about constantly having to see headlines about animal abuse, neglect, executions. I'm way too sensitive to handle it. I can't even watch the Animal Planet channel anymore because they always show horrible commercials for those Animal Cops shows. I just can't bear to see an animal in any kind of pain, let alone see an abused animal.

people need to know the truth. Knowing the truth makes people want to help. Where would help come from if no one knew there was a problem.

[MB2]

I have to confess....I know where the poster is coming from.
But, you need all info, education on what's happening all AROUND you.
This is OUR world, and far to many people are like the poster, trying to "block" things out, justifying it with being to sensitiv.
This is life, and the world we live in....brutal at best.
The more knowledge, the more can be done about it, change it....look out for it.
I can't watch animal planet either, nor go into an animal shelter (a kill one, where only the nicest and pretty animals get adopted, and others live on borrowed time, before people "play the almighty god" and chose which animal should be destroyed today)
....... I end up crying my eyes out, and feel so much HATE towards people doing this, and the original owners, which caused those animals being there in the first place.

I am so, so sorry...but I have so much patience and compation for all animals, but only so little for people.

[PitBullMommie1206]

I agree that stories like that are horrible.. Hearing about any animal being hurt, neglected or abused breaks my heart and makes me sick. I know I HATE hearing those stories and I am sure most other people do too, but it is good for people to be aware of what is going on and where it is going on. If no one knows about horrible stuff like that no one can do anything to help.. ya know?? I do agree that stories of animal abuse and neglect are VERY, VERY upsetting, but it is reality and we need to stand up and stop stuff like that from going on!

[james203]

i do it to educate the public.its a cruel world we live in & alot of people just dont have a clue as too whats going on.i will continue to post in the pet forums cause animal abuse needs to be reported & the fur industry is horrid.just read my last few topics.BTW.....if you cant take the heat,get out of my kitchen.

[LookinForMayberry]

Dear Tao;

I understand your sentiments, but I don't agree that reports of abuses or neglect should not be posted.

First, we need to know that a potential threat exists. I've loved animals all my life, but there are a lot of things about pets and the pet market that I didn't know:

- I didn't know about puppy mills, until the mid-90s when I was thinking about buying a dog. I had no idea that it wasn't a good thing to buy one in a pet store, until I started researching options.

- I didn't know about the difference between backyard breeders, and responsible breeders. I bought my basset hound in the early 80s from a BYB, and had no problems. I was lucky.

- I didn't know that chocolate and raisins can kill a dog.
- I didn't know that aspirin can kill a cat.
- I didn't know that there are abusive pet groomers!

I don't think the reports should be graphic, and I'd like to read more information and less emotion in an account, but everyone expresses themselves and their information in their own way.

Maybe it would be easier for you if you tried what I do -- scan the thread for information, skip over the stuff that is icky, and move on. I prefer to learn about what can be done, rather than details of the "crash scene." Still, if I have to wade through the latter to get the useful information, I will.

Hope that helps.

[hotair2]

I am not going to give details about the story which is attached below, which involves an animal control officer in Rowland Oklahoma. If you don't want to hear the details, please don't read. It makes me very sad but we must do something about these people.

Sequoyah County Times - Breaking News, Classifieds, Local News, Events, and Businesses in Sallisaw, Oklahoma (http://www.sequoyahcountytimes.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2706357&widget=push& article-Council%20accepts%20Cole’s%20resignation%20=&insta nce=home_news_bullets&open - broken link)=&

[Minervah]

Right now there is a petition posted on the Internet for people to sign to have a 17 year old teen monster be tried as an adult for her abuse of a kitten. To date, people in her city have gotten together via posts on various pet websites such as this and are going to actually attend her trial. People are writing letters to the ASPCA, the court and even the judges who may be presiding over her case. There is even a young man on UTube who has done a video on her story and is urging people to demand she gets the maximum penalty for animal abuse; both this time and for other acts she has done to animals, breaking and entering, destroying property and attacking other teens.
But by and large it is the act she perpetrated on the kitten that is urging people to urge the Court to put her away where she can not do any more harm.
No one who loves animals wants to read about animal abuse but if we are not made aware of individual situations such as this one, we will not be able to do anything about it.

[BlueWillowPlate]

The woman who put the cat in the garbage can got caught.
Dusty the cat, who was being abused, had his cruel owner tracked down. Dusty is safe now.
The Bosnian girl who threw the puppies in the river was identified.
The cat nicknamed "Sticky" who was covered with duct-tape was rescued, and the abuser arrested.

A big part of the reason such awful events are publicized is the internet.
A big part of the reason the perpetrators get caught is the internet.

Woe unto anyone targeted by the members of 4chan, who mete out their own internet justice to animal abusers (and anyone else they deem worthy of harassment).

Usually, by the time I see cruel stories on CD, I've already at least seen the headline somewhere else on a major internet news site.

I do not equate awareness of heartworm or knowledge about backyard breeders with a teenager throwing pups in the river. I do not equate someone chaining their dog outside (as deplorable as it is) with what was happening to Dusty.

I can't save every animal, but I've done my part of the years, and will continue to do so. My own conscience is clear, and generally, I avoid the graphic 'shock' threads.
When it comes to indignation and disgust, there is only so much participation I can bear.

[dnvrsoul]

I took a college class on animal abuse-it was one of the worst 5 week classes of my life-I had nighmares and cried all the time-but animal abuse is all around..I just do my part. I saved three cats who I adore and also saved a Boxer who died last year because she had been too abused and she didn't recooperate..sweet Cleo is buried at my aunt's house under a flower bed.
I try to give money when I can to shelters and hope that abusers get what they deserve...