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Original poster

Animal cruelty - should penalties be harsher?

36 replies

Frosty6611 · 25/08/2018 12:11

I volunteer at a local cat charity and the levels of abuse and neglect that some of these poor creatures have endured before they have arrived at the charity is disgusting!
I personally think anyone who has any sort of pet should have to seek a licence beforehand and have their homes checked to make sure they are going to be suitable for the animal.
I also think animal cruelty cases should be given much harsher penalties. I know our prisons are really struggling and at maximum capacity, but it just doesn’t sit right with me that someone could torture an innocent animal and walk away Scott free or with a small fine.

OP posts:
ArmySal · 25/08/2018 12:16

I'd be happy with hands being chopped off as punishment for animal cruelty.

genivert · 25/08/2018 12:18

Agree!

John4703 · 25/08/2018 12:18

I think a life time ban on keeping any animal should be automatic. It should apply to everyone who was involved.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/08/2018 12:24

I agree my dd also works in cat rescue Centre. Thankfully she's not came across any abused cats.
The prison over population is easily solved by letting the poor souls out who can't pay their Council Tax and TV licence.
It's beyond comprehension how anyone could possibly harm these poor innocent trusting creatures. The only asked to be loved and cared for, don't they.
I'd give them a minimum of 20 years.

Also could you please ask MNHQ to put a trigger warning in your title.

JakePeraltaNYPD · 25/08/2018 13:52

Definitely, they're harsh on humans hurting humans who can defend themselves but animals are defenseless Angry

maxthemartian · 25/08/2018 13:59

Definitely harsher penalties.

keefthebeef · 25/08/2018 14:02

I couldn't agree more. I'm a farmer and yesterday had to stop a group of 5 men from throwing rocks at my Sheep. I filmed them when they refused to stop and laughed at me, and then luckily DH cane home and they left. The police are not interested.
Even people who don't care about animals should care because it's often a precursor to hurting people. Every serial killer starts as an animal abuser. Sick bastards, I hate them.

MrMeSeeks · 25/08/2018 14:02

Agreed. Suspended sentence, fines, what’s that??

SteviaStephanie · 25/08/2018 14:05

Couldn’t agree more; it makes me sick.

If I ever win the lottery, I am going to retrain as a lawyer and work for free for animal charities to take scum like that to court and throw every book at them.

ScreamingValenta · 25/08/2018 14:05

Yes, I agree, OP.

UpstartCrow · 25/08/2018 14:06

I think we should teach animal care in school.

Thierryhenryneedisaymore · 25/08/2018 14:07

Abdolutly agree.
Bastards should be tied down and a few rocks lobbed at them.
It is chilling the lack of empathy some 'human beings' have.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 25/08/2018 14:11

Out of interest, why does the title need a trigger warning? Isn't it obvious from the words 'animal cruelty' what the thread is going to be about?

To be even more pedantic, I think it would only be 'triggering' if you're an animal that has previously experienced cruelty. The content may be upsetting for people, but not 'triggering' (as the word is commonly used).

glintandglide · 25/08/2018 14:15

Yes I agree. I don’t think animal care should be taught at school: tbh if you want to take cruelty all the way we shouldn’t really be keeping animals as pets at all. But I also think it’s a special type of person who abuses animals (as opposed to neglect) and the existence of them doesn’t justify wasting education time for the whole population

Cattenberg · 25/08/2018 14:20

There are a couple of negative things I could say about Michael Gove, but he did announce an increase in the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months to five years. Good on him.

I agree it's disgusting that some particularly cruel animal abusers have walked away with a fine, whilst showing no remorse whatsoever.

pigsDOfly · 25/08/2018 14:20

Never ceases to amaze me that people can treat animals appallingly and they get something like a year's ban from keeping animals and a fine.

Yes, that's going to really impact on their lives isn't it?

And does anyone actually check up on these bans to make sure they're being adhered to? I very much doubt it. Who is going to know? I doubt for a moment they'll be popping their 'pet' along to the vet if it's unwell or getting it micro chipped.

The penalties handed out to puppy framers are a joke even though their breeding bitches might have been living in pain and horrific conditions for years.

No one in power seems to care. Unless the rules change allowing harsher penalties nothing will change for these poor animals.

recklessruby · 25/08/2018 23:16

I agree really harsh penalties should apply for animal cruelty. Chuck them in prison where they share cells with pet owners away from their pets and tell everyone what they ve done. The guards could go and have a very long tea break while their cell mates sort it out.
I can't understand how ANYONE could be cruel to an animal that just wants to be loved. Pathetic oxygen theives.

MrsTerryPratchett · 25/08/2018 23:26

Bastards should be tied down and a few rocks lobbed at them.
It is chilling the lack of empathy some 'human beings' have.

Irony, much?

Animal cruelty is deeply, deeply worrying. For many reasons. The lack of empathy, enjoyment of pain, and power involved should make us all take it very seriously. But all the "chop their hands off" "lock them away forever" such is nonsense. Firstly, there are very good reasons we don't give massive sentences for lots of crimes. It's expensive and doesn't work as a deterrent or treatment. Secondly, we need to know why people do it. How they end up lacking empathy and liking pain.

Talking about chopping their hands off really isn't going to do that. It does help with our anger. It makes us feel good. In broadly the same way I imagine pain makes them feel good. But complex issues require complex thought. Not knee jerk anger.

Yes, licensing, does that work? Let's find out. Absolutely a lifetime ban on ownership. But also, we do a really bad job of teaching children consent, bodily autonomy, empathy, self-esteem and dealing with strong emotions. Let's do more of that.

dogaregreat · 26/08/2018 00:23

Pedophiles and animal abusers should have their human rights taken away and locked in an empty cell with nothing but the four walls and a concrete floor no light, no communication and no toilet TIL they die.

If this was the punishment guarantee the crimes would lower it even stop. Our country is a joke and literally let people get away with murder. But hell forbid you don't pay your council tax!

Aintnothingbutaheartache · 26/08/2018 00:26

All crimes involving cruelty and abuse to animals, children, humans generally should have a much higher penalty.
It’s fucking appalling what some people can get away with

firehousedog1 · 26/08/2018 00:29

Too right the penalties should be tougher

Aintnothingbutaheartache · 26/08/2018 00:39

recklessruby I’ve always subscribed to that line of justice!

Allchangehere346 · 26/08/2018 01:13

There are direct links from people who abuse animals, that they then go on to hurt humans.

They should be punished to the same extent as if they had inflicted the same on a human.

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/08/2018 01:41

If this was the punishment guarantee the crimes would lower it even stop.

That's a total load of old bollocks.

Hertha · 26/08/2018 02:07

Instinctively, yes.

But having harsh rules for abusing animals would be a bit odd given our booming meat industry.