I think most vets would feel morally bound to report incidents of mistreatment, but I agree there should be legislation covering it. Don't forget that in Dagney's case, the innocent owner took the dog to the vet, not the perpetrator. I guess that in this case legislation would force some action to be taken, even if the owner was reluctant to press charges. Of course, there may well already be laws in place in Texas and Pennsylvania.

Animals are property.

The penalties for abuse of animals are minimal at best. Fines, sometimes with brief jail terms.

There is usually not a provision for ordering the individual never to own another animal.

The fact that the animal was transported across numerous state lines has probably not helped the case.

Neither does the fact that he was a pit bull.

The poor animal had a broken bone, been stabbed and burned with an iron! That is not "cruelty"-it's sick. People who do this to animals have been known to follow a certain pattern. WATCH THIS PERSON. Who-WHO-could do something like that while the creature wimpered in agony? It disgusts me. Please encourage your friend to pursue this.

Friend already has - I got more information regarding the situation today - now that things have settled down a bit - and heads are a bit clearer.

1. Dog owner was at work when this happened.
2. EvilBastard had a history (unknown to Dog Owner _or_ person who referred Dog Owner to the home as a temporary place of residence) as a child of cruelty to animals
3. Dog Owner took dog to Texas Vet immediately after incident
4. Texas vet filed a cruelty investigation report with SPCA, which started an investigation immediately.
5. Dog Owner was not comfortable returning to the home where the incident happened - (Dog was in the care of the vet). Asked the vet if the dog would be safe travelling back to PA - to be put under immediate vetrinary care as soon as the dog arrived in PA - Vet said yes - gave Dog Owner a list of treatment recommendations, the x-rays, everything else that PA Vet may need in order to care for the animal, along with pain relievers and antibiotics for the animal.
6. Dog Owner arrived in PA - and immediately went to the family vet - who also filed a cruelty report with the SPCA.

Last we've heard the police are involved, and Evil Bastard is being questioned - more than one person has come forward stating they witnessed the abuse - which apparently took place in a garage with the door up. (He wasn't very concerned about hiding it). Evil Bastard's excuse for what he did? The dog had gas.....and he couldn't stand the smell.

Yes, dog farts caused this asshole to be so cruel to an innocent animal. I'm NOT kidding - although I really wish I was.

Whoa. There is a well-documented probability that children who torture animals grow up to become psychopaths/serial killers/sociopaths. As awful as this is, it might be a blessing in disguise if it gets and keeps this guy off the street.

Or away from kids. :mad:

I am too angry to speak.

Had this happened to MY animal, said Evil Bastard would not currently be alive to be questioned. I treat my dog (a mixed pit bull terrier) as if he were my own son. And then some. But then again, I'm an animal lover.

Brian

While we are on the subject of dog abuse, here is another type that is all to common. Read it, print it, circulate it. Please. :(

Thanks for that link, Bruce. I think the most telling thing in the article is not the apathy, but the espousal of further abusive techniques because they genuinely believe the alternative is "cruel."

I once knew a woman with four cats, all kept inside a tiny one-bedroom apartment. The cats were not allowed outside, because to do so was cruel according to her--they might get run over, you see. People who let their animals outside were abusing them. The cats began peeing on the carpet to express their displeasure, so they got confined to smaller and smaller areas, until ultimately all four were kept permanently in the laundry room. I begged her to give them away to other homes--she wasn't comfortable with that, because she couldn't be sure these new owners wouldn't let the cat outside.

I plotted for long periods of time how I could manage to drop by her house, and somehow let the cats out the front door while she wasn't looking. Finally, two got out and ran away and the other two were taken by relatives.

This is why I'd rather spend my time with animals that with most humans I know.

My condolences to "Dog Owner".

To "Raving Maniac": You should be crucified between two trees, both legs tied off to the bases of said trees, and your nuts, however small and dainty they are, should be slowly cutoff with a steak knife, while your eyes are burned out with a blowtorch. This shall be done in the town square, since you enjoy public displays of torture so much. People like you need to be exterminated. Fucking scumbag.

To the other Cellarites: I am sorry for this outburst. Animal abuse pisses me off.