animal cruelty

[katrina cannon]

I have a 4 month old bulldog that was kicked by a neighbor, in the face, three days ago. The police came out and even though he admitted to kicking her, the police said they could not do anything. She went to the vet yesterday because she now has cherry eye in the eye she was kicked. The vet said that this normally happens when there is trauma from something or someone. I can't believe we can not do anything to this neighbor.

[ann]

Just because they have food, shelter and water still holds the owners responsible for their coats. Infections and pest infestations are indeed a problem. Fleas and ticks make an animal anemic so therefore I would contact the local animal control and see what can be done or speak to your own vet and see if they can pull any strings and get you into the right organization to help these creatures.

[Melinda]

I was going to suggest basically the same thing AliciaM did. But you can also go on line, at this site as a matter of fact. Find your state and it will tell you what the aminal cruilty laws are in the area that you live in. Contact the ASPCA in your neighborhood and report the incident. Here Metro Aminal Control investigate aminal cruilty.
You may need to go to civil court to get the vet bills paid for, but I suggest doing this because if nothing else this will let the perpatrator know that he can not get off scott free.........

[Susan Sadeghian]

I agree they should pay your vet bills at the very least, however the online stuff has not worked for me. My adult daughter petsat for an HA and needed backup and her back up got bit but does not want that dog hurt so she wont seek medical help=automacially gets reported, so I serged for doglaws in that city and all of it is lawyer type talk noone understands and mostly about the entire state of CA or about a huge city about one or so hrs away. so online did not work for me.

[Barbara]

If you reported this to the police and the vet is willing to write a statement that the kick in the face caused the cherry eye, that jerk is 100% responsible for your vet bills. If he won't pay on his own, take him to small claims court. Unfortunately, since dogs are legally considered property, you cannot get any other damages. Make sure you wait to sue until your dog has received all necessary treatments.

As far as the cruelty itself, you will have to be aggressive to force the state's attorney to enforce the statute. I don't believe that kicking a dog in the face isn't considered animal cruelty.

[Patricia]

I can only say be careful of this neighbor. Anyone who would do that to a dog is dangerous. Never let your dog out alone under any circumstances. I don't trust this person who did this to your dog. I've heard so many horror stories about these creeps getting even. Keep away from him please.

[Starr]

Katrina, I agree with AliciaM. Your pet cannot stand up for itself or be punished so you must do it. We have to stop the cruelty to our animals. The laws for animal abuse in each state vary, but even the trouble of going to court will show this person that his actions will not go unnoticed. My state has very lax laws and it is an uphill battle. Please, don't be discouraged, see what you can do. Ask vets and maybe rescue or shelter people in your area for ideas on how to deal with the situation. As Patricia stated, be careful of this neighbor and never let your pet out alone. We are with you!

[sonicsbestfriend]

That's disgusting! It's like that where I live too. Animal cruelty laws are not enforced. The meager animal services in my city are dedicated to controlling the stray population; they have no time to get involved with cruelty cases. To the city government, animals are considered only property, if that.

I hope your puppy feels better soon! She's lucky that cherry eye was the extent of the damage, considering that she was kicked in the face. It's awful that you have to continue living near this person. That individual sounds dangerous to animals and humans. I hope the police were wrong and that there really is some recourse available.

[Becca]

A family in my city had their dog stomped on by three teenagers who were later charged with 33 acts of vandilism and other assorted charges. The dog, a baby St Bernard, now walks with a limp, and had to be fixed because the weight of having babies would be too much for her. The vet stated she was stomped with as much force as is she were hit with a car.
The teenagers were not charged with any behaviors related to the abuse they did to that dog. The wife states she was basically told the since no "person" witnessed the action, there is nothing they can do.

[Christine Rangel]

I'm sorry that this happened to this poor st. bernard. but i take it they intended to breed the dog--"she had to be fixed because the weight of having babies would be too much for her"? does this family know that breeding of dogs ultimately leads to overpopulation, and more importantly, that there are THOUSANDS of dogs that are euthanized daily b/c there are not enough homes?

[caroline]

your poor bulldog! it's sad that someone would kick a dog, especially in the face. that's just cruel! it's not like dogs can kick people's faces. i hope your dog is not in too much pain anymore, and gets better soon. i hope you can find a way to punish that person.

[Becca]

That is so wrong! I cant beleive they would do that! I think they should make a law that if anyone hurts a pet or animal that they should go to jail! Exept hunting and stuff like that.

[Patricia]

Some of you may think I am harsh, but I say, "let the punishment fit the crime". I've been hearing so many stories of people throwing acid or burning pets that I am disgusted by the human race. Now I know there are so many of you out there saving animals so please I mean no offense to the people that save animals and try to help or even give up their pets. My daughter just adopted a dog from the Animal Care & Control. She said it is so sad and terrifying for these animals not to know what is going to happen to them. At least they are in a safe place there and not abused. The people that abuse animals are sick people that take out their inadequacies on defenseless animals. How would they like it if someone threw acid at them or burned them??????????? These people are your future murderers !!!!!