Fun ways to spoil your dog!

[Jennifer5973]

I am very interested in hearing your POV, Dr. Z. Would this change hamper you ability to put dying pets down? I hadn't read anything negative about the guardian campaign and was thinkign about taking the charge locally in my town.

The guardian idea is very attractive to me because everyday I am confronted with yet another horror story of abused or neglected animals...and often, no one seems to care. I know changing a word on a paper isn't going to do much but it gives a glimmer of hope that perhaps, over time, our culture will change to truly recognize and appreciate the value of companion animals, esp. dogs.

It's just so overwhelming how many homeless and suffering pets there are. I really can't process it. I try to keep myself educated, do what little I can and hope for the best. Then again, look at how some people treat their children and the horrors of abuse you hear about....is it really any wonder so many animals are abused or abandoned?

 

[coreyzat]

I was at the AAHA convention in March and they had a speaker about the ramifications of changing pet owners to guardian status. At first everyone was all gung-ho about seeing this change. Then they had a lawyer stand up and tell us the ramifications legally of such a change. The simple fact is that legally calling someone a guardian has a LOT of consequences. It would effect not only the options we have for treatment (owners would be forced to do everything for their pets if they came to the vet, which would actually keep very many people away from the vet I think), but also the legal liability that we as veterinarians would face. I don't know how it would effect euthanasia laws, except that I have to imagine that it would hamper our ability to euthanize many animals.

I do agree, however, that there is WAY too much abuse, mistreatment, and neglect of animals in the world. I have witnessed two cases in the past week of animal neglect. Luckily, both these animals were saved because someone found them and brought them to me. However, to me the solution is not changing owners to guardians, but rather changing the criminal code regarding animals. In very many states animal abuse is only a misdemeanor, not a felony. I was recently part of a campaign that changed the laws to a felony in Iowa, where I went to school. I think we need to concentrate on criminal laws and enforcement of those laws, rather than some legal mumbojumbo.

my 0.2
Corey

 

[Jennifer5973]

You make a very good point--and I agree 200% about changing the laws punishing abuse/neglect of animals. We just had a local case of an abandoned pet store where they found all the carcasses in the cages--the SOB just had enough, closed up, and left the animals in their cages to die. All I can think about is how those poor dogs must have felt in those cages, starving, hot , dehydrated...When/if they catch this piece of garbage, he'll get a slap on the wrist...

I hadn't been aware of the issues around the guardian campaign--it seemed like low-hanging fruit--something that might get people thinking and effect a long-term shift in people's mindsets.

When push comes to shove, the criminal laws are vitally important to animal welfare and toughening them would certainly be/is more immediately impactful. I know IDA and other animal groups have similar initiatives around getting tougher laws in place.

When I think of the gift we've been given with dogs--seeing eye dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, rescue dogs at Ground Zero, seizure-sensitive dogs, dogs whose love and devotion save lonely people from despair, I just can't imagine a worse crime that mistreating one of these magnificent creatures.

Thanks for the informative posts...

 

[quaeritur]

coreyzat wrote:

...However, to me the solution is not changing owners to guardians, but rather changing the criminal code regarding animals...

HEAR HEAR!!! I couldn't agree more. Not to add to the list of horrifying animal cruelty cases, but recently some sicko in Denver broke into the humane society and stole four (I think it was four) puppies and set them on fire in plastic carriers. At least one of them died, and what a horrible death...Fortunately a good samaritan heard the screams and managed to save the others.

I am so pleased that the perpetrator is facing felony charges for it, and that so many people turned out for his court date. Personally, I couldn't go, I don't know that I could be responsible for my actions because this kind of thing enrages me so... but I'm happy to live in a place that has so many animal lovers and where the laws reflect how horrific animal cruelty truly is.

Sigh. On a much nicer note, my dogs got baths today, and smell so yummy and feel so soft, I couldn't stop hugging on them

.

 

[fire&ice]

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On 7/7/2004 10:50:56 PM Jennifer5973 wrote:

When I think of the gift we've been given with dogs--seeing eye dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, rescue dogs at Ground Zero, seizure-sensitive dogs, dogs whose love and devotion save lonely people from despair, I just can't imagine a worse crime that mistreating one of these magnificent creatures.

Thanks for the informative posts...

----------------

Don't forget the TDI dogs that rode the Ferries and comforted people at Ground Zero. TDI has set up a special disaster team since then. Handler's & dogs are trained to help specifically in this situation. Also, don't forget about the Cancer sniffing Standard Schnauzer!

Like Dr. Corey, I am opposed to guardian status. It won't help. Just like parenting, you can't legislate care. In our area, it is quite easy to take an abused pet into safety. To tell you the truth, most of the abusers/neglectors don't care if you take the "pet". And, in our state we have enforcable laws w/ serious punitive punishments.

More than anything, saving abused/neglected animals is about awareness. AND, the caring to get involved. Sometimes it's as easy as knocking on a neighbors door & making them aware (not lecturing) about the care of their pet. Sometimes more intervention is required.

With anything, sometimes one should not look the other way. Jenn, I simply can not fathom that anyone did not know the situation at the "Pet" store.

One more thing before I get off my podium. I will not buy *anything* from a "pet" store that sells puppies.

One other thing, don't forget about your pets in your will. You can not leave them money. But, you can set up a guardian for them & leave money to the guardian for care.

 

[quaeritur]

>>...One more thing before I get off my podium. I will not buy *anything* from a "pet" store that sells puppies. <<

Ditto that!!! I won't support such establishments in any way.

 

[Jennifer5973]

F&I--you are so right... While the guardian initiative speaks nominally to the value of pets, changing the laws and increasing awareness are much more effective ways to achieve real change without any negatives (I now see there may be issues with the guardian idea)....And I know--how could NO ONE who knew that piece of %$#@! had a pet store not think that maybe something wasn't right????????????????? ugh.

This thread has broadened my thinking and I think any effort I can give would be better served trying to change laws around animal abuse. In fact, my husband is an attorney and he is looking into pro-bono work on this type of effort via The Animal Lgeal Defense Fund.

And pet stores?????????? FORGET IT. And at this point in time, with all the public awareness of pet stores/puppy mills, anyone who buys a puppy from a pet store needs to be kicked in the head.