A Ban on Owning Animals is Not Punishment

 I feel so helpless whenever I read about an animal abuser’s punishment being a ban on owning animals.

Seriously! What a joke. Aside from the fact there is absolutely no way to enforce it, that is not punishment. 

Things like compassion and a moral center prevent the majority of us from harming another living being. Since abusers obviously lack these traits, a stiff prison sentence is our only hope of a deterrent. Of course at the moment, they have very little to worry about.

How many stories do you read about people doing horrible things to animals, then walking free, that is if they are even caught!

Although our animal protection laws are quite weak, they still allow for punishing abusers, yet judge after judge either lets them go, or imposes this ban. I have to ask why they don’t use their position to punish cruelty.

I think I know the answer – at least part of one. Society and our legal system see animals as property, with no more value than a chair, so how can we expect more?

The good news is, we don’t have to stand helplessly by. There are things we can do.

The next time you read about another abuser walking free, call attention to it by writing a letter to the editor, or asking your local media to cover the story. Contact local legislators and ask them to start asking questions. Judges should be held accountable.

One organisation that’s fighting to protect animals through the legal system in the U.S., is the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Follow them and help them in their fight to enact tougher laws, and ensure those inflicting harm on animals are punished. Visit their take action page and sign their petitions. It's a quick and easy way to help end the suffering of animals.  

To find out what’s being done to protect animals where you live, start with a search in your local area and reach out to see how you can help!

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