Animal Cruelty Law

Posted by Charla Dawson Mar 11, 2006

Sometimes I have to stop and ask myself "what is this world coming to". I see different forms of animal abuse on a regular basis. Usually it is a form of neglect that involves an uneducated owner, something small that is easily taken care of, and the owner, now educated, understands how to better care for their pet. But every so often we have something so horrific come in that it stays with us, we continue to see this tortured animal every time we close our eyes. In August 2005, the animal hospital I work for had such an abuse case. We named the puppy Magnum. When Magnum was brought into our hospital he had been burned with some sort of chemical over most of his body, he was bound with wire, one paw stuffed in his mouth, and he had been left in a recycling dumpster to die. Originally we thought to euthanize him, but once the wire was cut and his leg released from his mouth, instead of crying in pain or trying to bite he licked our hands as if to say thank you. Everyone there was in agreement - Magnum deserves a chance to live. Magnum survived one week before succumbing to his injuries, but during that week he touched many lives. The city of Wichita came together that week. Thanks to the media we had phone calls and donations pouring in. It made me believe in people again. Supporters have come together to work to get Magnum's law passed in Kansas. This law would make this type of animal cruelty a felony. We want Magnums short life to have meant something. We don't want him to have died in vain. Currently there are 9 states that do not have an animal cruelty felony law in place. Those states are: Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah. If you live in one of these states I encourage you contact your Legislators and demand changes be made. We don't want to see another case like Magnum. These people need to learn that animal cruelty is not OK and the people in this state do not take it lightly. The link will lead you to learn about Magnum's story. Cruelty's Legacy