The cruelty continues

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The cruelty continues

 

 

11/26/03

 

 

 

 

It's a sad, tired refrain, but cruelty against animals seems to go on unabated,

despite the best efforts of the citizenry and animal control officers in Jackson

and George counties.

 

The latest chapter involves a pair of allegedly neglected Rottweilers in Gautier

and the killing of a yearling deer and some boar carcasses dumped at a Bayou

Cassotte tackle shop.

 

 

There's a word for this: Evil.

 

All of this on the eve of the season of thanksgiving, peace, love and joy.

 

There is only one remedy for these horrendous crimes against the defenseless in

this mean season.

 

Mississippi lawmakers should follow the lead of other states, and put some bite

in the animal cruelty law currently on the books.

 

Consider the Tennessee model as an example: Cruelty to animals or aggravated

cruelty on first offense can carry a fine of up to $2,500 in fines and up to a

year in jail. A repeat offender may be charged with a felony and sentenced up to

six years in prison and a $3,000 fine. The law also carries provisions for

psychological counseling, cost of care for the injured animal and limited future

animal ownership.

 

Thirty-one states carry felony provisions in their animal cruelty laws.

Mississippi is not one of them.

 

The Legislature should make a stronger cruelty law a priority in the next

session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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