Use and abuse of animal cruelty laws

Chris, predictably, remembered the article we would like you and your legal editorial contributor to consider. We were discussing this recent case in Tulsa, where a rescuer has been, once again, treated like a felon.

A friend of mine knows this lady well. She has never done anything but love and protect animals. Even allowing that she may have overreached in her eagerness to help abandoned, sick, abused animals, those under her care lacked nothing. Now they are dead; executed by the authories in the name of .... what!?

This is not the first time it happens in Tulsa. One case I remember 15 or so years ago, resulted in the seizure and euthanasia of more than 200 dogs. I knew the woman who was financing this rescue mission in a nice big piece of land outside Tulsa; they were safe, well fed, under vet care, and loved. The poor woman who cared for them night and day, simply lost her mind in view of the massacre and false accusations.

The fact is and that the so-called "collectors" are prosecuted like felons. Indeed, there may be issues of not enough resources, getting way over their heads, and the nuttiness that afflicts people who care for animals more than for themselves. These people are victims themselves; victims of the true culprits --animal dumpers, breeders, abusers-- who fly under the radar; victims of a society that dismisses them as weirdos and resolve the "problem" by killing the animals they sacrificed their own welfare to spare.

Where are the authorities when people burn dogs and cats ... starve cows and horses ... stage animal fights ... move and leave their animals behind chained or locked inside ... sacrifice animals in Santeria and Muslim rites ..... In the rare occasions they are caught and made to stand trial, they get the equivalent of a speeding ticket!

Michael Vick is back making millions, getting courage (courage!) awards ... and no one has the decency or the testosterone to boo the monster out of a stadium. But by all means, let's lock "Miss Maggy" up and throw away the key, or simply destroy her character in public, because she has 50 cats who pee on her carpet ...and who would be dead had she not taken them in out of the kindness of her heart. While we are at it, let's kill the cats too.

I think it's time for someone with knowledge of the law to enlighten Tulsa Pets readers about why law enforcement and the courts go after rescuers (not "collectors" but rescuers!) with such vengeance. Is it to prove they are "tough" on animal abusers? I become suspicious when all they manage to drag to court are easy marks -- elderly, marginated, slightly nutty folks who can only be blamed of benign neglect or at worst need help themselves. How many dog fight organizers are made to stand trial, let alone serve time? Zero. What do we do when Muslim students at TU decide to slash a goat's throat on the campus lawn with unspeakable cruelty, breaking the humane slaughter act etc. in the name of religious freedom? Nothing. So much cruelty; so little justice.

Well Chris and I just think that the situation warrants some analysis. And what better platform than Tulsa Pets.

Justice for animals and for the people who protect them. -- Dolores