I just got into a Facebook argument. It was about someone who was abusing puppies by leaving them in a carrier cage all day. Some of these people responded, basically, with ‘kill the person’. I suggested that he also go talk to the person. Help out. I can see why people jumped on me, as my post was short and could be misread. I didn’t elaborate, so I could get that.
But, I also know how much abuse comes from lack of education or simple unawareness. I actually think even more of it comes from not knowing/stupidity/ignorance/self-suffering than from some actual evil incarnate. That’s why there is so much of an education element in rescue organizations. Having done rescue work, I see education as being the most powerful tool we have. Over and above punishment.
I feel that to change the culture of mistreatment of animals would get us the furthest. I feel that by helping and education we can get the most benefit, as we can spread the education, and then those people can spread it even further. I watch as the kids in my neighborhood now come to me when an animal is in trouble. I also know, that before, they would have just ignored it, it wold be none of their business. But with education, it became their business.
For the example of backyard breeding, I wonder if you really were able to get through to the person, wouldn’t they give it up further? If they just got in trouble, wouldn’t they be more likely to do it again, more hidden, somewhere else? The most horrible thing I can think of is them hiding dogs in basements, never to see the light, out of fear of getting caught. But, if they really understood, learned, they would have no reason to be more secretive about it, as they would let it go.
Honestly, my first reaction is to throw them in jail right away. But, I wonder, is that (or rather only that w/o education) what really gets us the furthest?
Every person has the ability to be transformed, to become better. I just see so much more mileage in that. Both for us, and our pets.
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. This in no way means do not call Animal Control, the police, a rescue, when you see abuse. Absolutely not! Call, call, call. What this means is let’s help educate people before it comes to this. Imagine it NEVER coming to this. If we all do our part, we can make that happen.