news-record.com

OPINION

Cruelty to animals can lead to cruelty to people

Letter
Comments (4)

Friday, November 20, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

If he is found guilty, let’s hope authorities throw the book at the man who allegedly burned, beat and left a 3-month-old puppy for dead in Greenfield Park (“Suspect in case of burned puppy turns himself in,” Nov. 17).

Animal abusers are cowards who take their issues out on easy victims, and their targets often include members of their own species. The FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals regularly appears in its records of serial rapists and murderers. The standard diagnostic and treatment manual for conduct disorders also lists cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion.

People who hurt animals need prison time, counseling and a ban on contact with animals, for everyone’s safety. To learn more about the animal-human abuse connection, visit www.HelpingAnimals.com.

Martin Mersereau
Norfolk, Va.

The writer is director, Emergency Response Team, Cruelty Investigations Department, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Letter To The Editor

Article: Playgrounds and parks are no place for guns (3:00 am)
Article: Who’s real technocrat? Obama or the church? (3:00 am)
Article: God is a Duke fan? (3:00 am)
Article: Trader Joe’s isn’t issue; an area’s character is (3:00 am)
Article: God makes very clear what marriage means (3:00 am)
Article: Highly paid principals need to have coaches? (Feb. 15)
Article: Council’s leadership deserves our praise (Feb. 15)

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Comments

View Comments

This letter has been closed to new comments. Comments are accepted on select letters to the editor between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM, EDT, Monday through Friday.

Inappropriate content? Please report abuse.

JGALT

November 20, 2009 - 7:32 am EST

De-wormed, de-flea'd and neutered would be a start.

jeaniegnc

November 20, 2009 - 9:04 am EST

This case is particularly disturbing since this guy told his mother that the puppy jumped up on the sofa where his newborn son was laying and he was afraid the puppy would harm the newborn. Now if he does this to a defenseless puppy, imagine what he might do to that newborn if the baby displeased him. I hope social services is aware of this situation and keeps close tabs on the newborn.

If abusing animals is in the background and history of rapists and murderers, this guy certainly merits watching closely. I hope he receives the maximum punishment and is made an example of when he is sentenced.

truth

November 20, 2009 - 9:37 am EST

Agreed. More than likely, the poor pup tripped over the playstation controller and caused LeShawn to miss the winning shot on NBA Live. The idea that he was did what he did to that 3 month-old puppy to protect his child is just stupid. Why not just take the puppy outside until he can give it away or just take it to the shelter?