Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Adults could benefit from some humane education too.

Yesterday we blogged about the tragic case of Dusty, an abused and tortured cat in Oklahoma, and the urgent need to ramp up humane education efforts across the country. Children are growing up without learning compassion and respect – and when we hear stories about the Dallas man who threw his wife’s dog to its death off a freeway overpass during an argument yesterday, how can we be surprised?

When are people going to learn some impulse control; some compassion; some respect for the value of life?! That man perpetrated a felonious act of unspeakable cruelty for what? A petty vendetta and the chance to hurt his wife because of some marital dispute?

Animals may be classified as property by law, but that doesn’t give people the right to abuse and discard them like a pair of old shoes. Remember, people - Animal cruelty is a felony in Texas (and in Oklahoma, where poor Dusty is recuperating after her repeated torture at the hands of abusive teenagers).

Humane education can help teach people about being more respectful to our animal companions, but people also need to learn (and consider) consequence when they take rash and harmful actions against animals. County DA needs to ensure that people who perpetrate these felonies are prosecuted to the full extent of the law and required to make restitution to the communities they are degrading by their inhumane behavior.

Humane Education is not just for kids! It can be incorporated into any number of adult programs, including anger management classes, domestic violence counseling, parenting classes and more. It’s clear that adults need to learn and demonstrate compassion if our kids are to ever understand its value.

Please help us make the world a better place by supporting our Humane Education efforts and by encouraging our legislators and law enforcement to ensure animal cruelty felonies are treated with the seriousness they deserve!

Reference:

Texas Penal Code (Title 9 – Offenses Against Public Order and Decency; Chapter 42 – Disorderly Conduct and Related Offenses)

Sec. 42.092.  CRUELTY TO NONLIVESTOCK ANIMALS

“A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1)  tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal…”

“[This] offense … is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09.”

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Why Humane Education is so Critical

This past weekend in Lawton, OK two teenage boys filmed themselves brutally torturing a cat, and posted the video on YouTube, where it was watched about 30,000 times before being removed for violating the video sharing site’s terms. This may not be the first time one of these young psychopaths has tortured animals for the camera, if allegations by PETA and evidence uncovered by 7 News are substantiated.

The torture was so severe, even Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley was lost for words. Dusty, the cat, is badly injured and traumatized, but is alive and was taken to a veterinarian. She will remain in custody at the City of Lawton Animal Control Shelter until investigations are complete.

According to 7 News, the teens are scheduled to face animal cruelty charges today. District Attorney Robert Schulte's office confirmed today that the boys are being tried as juveniles which many consider to be a travesty of justice.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE DUSTY CASE

THE CRITICAL NEED FOR HUMANE EDUCATION

Many animal welfare agencies are reporting an increasing incidence of animal cruelty acts perpetrated by young children and adolescents. So much for the innocence of childhood, and what was once considered an innate bond between children and animals. What makes children think that senseless violence and brutality is ever OK, especially when a defenseless and innocent creature is the victim?

Children are not inherently compassionate, it turns out – and it seems that many parents are absent at the helm when it comes to teaching their kids values such as respect for animals.

When kids think it’s OK to hurt an animal, and are not educated differently, they are losing part of their humanity – with potentially devastating impact on society. It is well documented that cruelty towards animals is frequently a precursor to escalating violence in general, with sadistic and homicidal outcomes. Casual brutality is becoming the norm and it’s frightening.

We need to teach children that cruelty to animals is not acceptable. It is increasingly critical that parents, schools, daycare providers, anyone who cares for or can influence children, should be taking every opportunity they can to educate children about humane practices, compassion and respect for other creatures (including people). It’s fundamental to the very fabric of our society!

Companions for Life provides materials, resources, and lesson plans for local teachers, counselors, and educators through partnerships with Dallas' Parks & Recreation, Dallas Environmental & Health Services, city-run after-school programs and summer camps, and more.

We can also train and equip volunteer educators who provide on-site presentations free to groups interested in humane education. Check out our website for more information, and get involved! Our children need us to help them learn compassion and humanity, instead of growing up with role models of cruel depravity.

Please help us build a more compassionate and respectful world!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Plano Shelter Animals Celebrate the Oscars in Style

A new glimmer has taken over the Animal Shelter in the City of Plano, TX as animals there get glamorous for the Oscars!

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During the week of Feb. 15 through Feb. 21, the shelter will celebrate Hollywood’s biggest night with its own voting process.

An official ballot will help visitors select their choice – the categories are:

  • Leading Tail Wagger
  • Best Supporting Tail Wagger
  • Best Cattress
  • Best Supporting Cattress
  • Best Short Tail
  • Best Animalation and
  • Best Cinemapawgraphy.

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Visitors will be encouraged to check out all the animals looking for loving homes as they vote online or at the Shelter. The dog kennels have even been decorated with movie marquees to set the mood for this fun event!

To pick your favorite shelter performer, go to http://plano.gov/Animal/Pages/default.aspx or visit the Plano Animal Shelter at 4028 Plano Parkway. For more information, call (972) 769-4360.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Don't Buy Puppies

Check out the latest from Best Friend Animal Society - please adopt puppies (like Sadie, this week's DAS animal of the week) instead of buying them!

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

DAS Pet of the Week Feb 4th

Look at Sadie, she is adorable! She's a 12-week old Australian Shepherd - I just can't understand why she's still in the shelter, she's a big cuddle-bunny! I mean, JUST LOOK at that little paw wrapped around Kent's arm, and those big love-me eyes!! Someone, take her home - please!

Monday, February 02, 2009

Save the Date – The Lone Star Animal Welfare Conference is hitting Austin April 18-21

image The Texas Federation of Humane Societies (TFHS) and the Texas Animal Shelter Coalition (TASC) have joined forces to host the biggest and best animal welfare conference in Texas!

The Lone Star Conference runs April 18 – April 21 in Austin and includes fantastic workshops in three tracks:

  • Field & Shelter Services,
  • Placement Strategies for Increasing Adoptions, and
  • Animal Health & Wellness.  

DFW animal welfare groups are urged to take advantage of this great opportunity to attend a world class conference close to home. 

Registration fees are only $ 75 for members and $95 for non-members.  For more details about the conference or to register, visit www.texasunites.com.