Animal Welfare and Advice - Research Paper Example

Abstract The Animal Welfare Act of the United States, signed into law in 1966, prohibits neglect and cruelty towards animals. Cruelty against an animal can be either simply failing to take care of it or deliberate abuse. Either way or whether the animal is a pet, wildlife or farm animal, the victim can terribly suffer. This paper discusses on the ways to deal with neglected animals, particularly the responsibilities that one would have when dealing with neglected animals. Introduction Anyone who owns an animal must be responsible for or meet the animal’s welfare needs. He or she must ensure that the animal: has somewhere suitable to live; depending on its needs, is kept away from or with other animals; is treated for and has protection from injury and illness, is allowed to behave normally and express itself and that it has a proper diet, alongside fresh water. Moreover, the Animal Welfare Act (1996) states that to purchase an animal, one must be over sixteen years old. Animal health officers, the police and Local councils have the authority of enforcing this Act. The law may ban anyone who is cruel to an animal or does not cater for its welfare needs from owning animals. He or she could also face a fine of up to twenty thousand dollars and/or sent to jail for up to 6 months (Directgov.uk, Para 1-3). As Frimani points out in the Animal Sheltering magazine article titled ‘Help Comes for Neglected Pets, One Step at a Time’, it is not hard for one to detect outright cruelty on animals including a dog set on fire, puppies bagged and thrown in the river or a cat shot with arrows. However, there are other less obvious forms of neglect such as tying up a dog all day on a three-foot chain with no food and water among others, a type of neglect that often stem from ignorance. All forms of neglect deny the animals of their rights and one should not ignore them. Anyone can take steps against animal neglect and cruelty. Perino maintains that when one finds an abandoned, he or she becomes responsible for the safety and welfare of that animal – providing shelter, food and clean water immediately. One should view the animal more closely for possible injuries and in case it has injuries, he should take it to a veterinarian immediately or to the pet to the Animal Emergency Clinic. PETA.org documents that if one spots an abused or neglected animal, he/she should first, find out the agency that investigates and enforces the anti-cruelty laws in his/her town, county or state. This may be either a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or a taxpayer-funded animal control/shelter or local humane society. Where a department for animal management or humane society does not exist, one can call upon sheriff’s department or the police for law enforcement. In the event that the animal is not in immediate need of rescue, one should conduct an online search or visiting their city hall or local library and check state and local laws for animal protection. He/she should then print out a copy of any laws that he/she suppose are being violated prepare to cite them to authorities. In most states, it is unlawful to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. Unnecessary suffering can encompass everything from beating the animal to denying it of food, clean water or shelter. However, if the animal is in a critical condition, one should instantaneously call authorities and follow up with them in a well-timed manner to establish their findings and course of action. If no immediate response, one should call People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). After determining the law-enforcement agency to get in touch with and ascertaining that the animal is not in impending danger, one should write a short, concise and precise statement to the authorities with details of the major points of his/her observations and providing locations, dates and approximate times. Well-timed fact collection is vital because the more time that elapses, the greater the risk of forgetting particulars. Witnesses may also move, injuries may heal and evidence may disappear among others. If possible, one can take pictures and put date on them as videotaped or photographic proof fortifies a case. Other witnesses’ written short, factual statements can support one’s observations. It is always good to record every person that one makes contact with, whether official or not, the contact dates as well as the content and result of the discussions. One should also always create copies of his/ her photograph, letter or any documentation. Clarifying the fact that that one wishes to follow the case and that one is willing to lend his or her help if required is vital (PETA.org, 2010). Perino also insists on the significance of taking all details concerning the individual/suspect, location and the time of day as well as the vehicle or bicycle used and the license numbers if he or she witnesses the animal being abandoned. One should ensure that the investigator thoroughly inspects the crime scene for any sign that abuse has occurred. The investigator should also interview potential witnesses including neighbors and suspects. In case the investigator concurs that his or her complaint has merit, what should follow is issuance of a warning, filing of charges, serving a warrant plus or the removal of the animal(s). One should also pursue his or her case persistently as this has saved numerous animals from abusive people. In case one does not get satisfaction with the law-enforcement officers, he or she should go directly to their supervisors and if need be, make an appeal to local government officials, for example city council members, prosecutor, county commissioners or the mayor. In addition, a simple call to the media in one’s area can be very effective, as news coverage normally obliges officials to act and can as well scare the abuser into ceasing the cruel behavior or even inspire viewers who have encountered similar acts to come to the open to share their own accounts (PETA.org, 2010). In the event that the owner of an abandoned animal cannot be located, the following options are in the animal’s best interest regarding health and welfare: one may choose to adopt the animal or pet and provide it with a good quality of life. One may also choose to place an ad for Adoption on any web site that allows for such placing as of a pet for adoption. It is also important to note that one should never give out an animal or pet out free of charge– one should always ask for adoption fee. One should also contact rescues and shelters in order to arrange an appointment for taking the pet to them for the reason of their adopting out. One should call first as vacancies in rescues and shelters adjust daily. One may receive backing to aid in bringing the animal or pet to another agency. One should also complete the Quick Pet Search in order to find out what shelters and rescues are accepting a mix breed or certain breed, since a pure breed has an outstanding chance of receiving acceptance from a pure breed rescue or shelter (PETA.org, 2010). Perino also suggests that one can advise associates and friends concerning the found pet or animal, checking with them if anyone has interest in adopting the pet/animal. Nevertheless, one should never give the animal out as a surprise gift. Since networking is valuable in placing a found pet, one should check with veterinarians too in order to find out if anyone is looking to adopt an animal or pet. Lastly, one should place ads for adoption in his or her area newspapers and remember to ask for adoption fee, screen interested persons carefully with assessment of their personality, responsibility and motives in adopting the animal/pet. Additionally, if one is not in a position to perform a rescue or if an attempted rescue fails, he or she should place a sighted ad on the web site in order to alerts residents to watch out for an abandoned animal. Conclusion It is imperative for one to realize that although advocating for neglected or abused animals may be difficult and heart breaking, one should be determined considering that they are depending on him or her to find the strength to act. Moreover, an abandoned pet usually has no hope of reuniting with its owner. I concur with McCollum who, in The Humane Society of the United States’ News, insists on the importance of reporting incidents of animal neglect. For instance, concerning the horse rescue the Tennessee state-local law enforcement conducted, he argued that without the outpouring support from local horse lovers who came to the aid of the neglected horse, the rescue would not have been possible. Works cited Directgov.uk, (2007). Animal welfare and advice. Retrieved 1st March, 2010, from http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/AnimalsAndPets/DG_10025980 Firmani, D. “Help Comes for Neglected Pets, One Step at a Time.” Animal Sheltering magazine. Jul-Aug 1996. “Neglected Horses Rescued in Tenn.” The Humane Society of the United States. 25 Nov. 2009. Perino, J. (n.d). Steps To Take When You Find a Pet. Retrieved 3rd March, 2010, from http://www.kittycatdogs.com/findsteps.html PETA.org, (2010). What to Do If You Spot Animal Abuse. Retrieved 1st March, 2010, from http://www.peta.org/MC/factsheet_display.asp?ID=46 Read More