Cruelty To Animals In Our Own Backyard

Sadly, cruelty to animals is happening here in our community far, far more frequently than many of us are aware. In December, 1999, an appalling case of animal cruelty occurred just outside the city limits of Beaumont, Texas in which two dogs were shot in the hips to cripple them. Then, a rope was placed around their necks and tied to the bumper of a vehicle. With the two helpless dogs still crying in pain from the gunshots, the individual craving to inflict even more suffering was finally sated by dragging them to death.

Earlier this year, also outside of the Beaumont city limits, a mother dog and her puppies were placed in a box and left in the woods without food or water. As the mother dog neared starvation, she began eating her own puppies. Unthinkable to most of us? Sadly, it is far too common for dogs to be "dumped!" In the majority of the cases, the puppies or dogs die a horrific death!

In March, five puppies were placed in a box (again, without food or water) and left in a park in Pt. Arthur, Texas. Thankfully, a jogger found the puppies and called The Humane Society of Southeast Texas. One of our advisory board members, Ann Reynolds, fostered the five ridgeback puppies. Fortunately, this story has a happy ending: all five puppies were adopted by caring individuals.

Recent cases of pit bull torture/abuse have also surfaced in our community. These dogs were fed gunpowder and broken glass, in the purposeful desire to "tear up their insides" to make them "fight-ready!" Appalling! Severe abuse such as this, even when exposed, renders the animals unadoptable. All animals that have endured this type of conscious, purposeful, excruciating abuse must, sadly, be euthanized. It is not only the death of the canines that is tragic; it is the manner in which these animals were tortured. This inhumane treatment is not acceptable for any creature on earth!

Oftentimes, people move and simply leave their animals behind. These animals, left to fend for themselves for food, water, and shelter, often die tragic deaths. Domesticated animals no longer have the ability to supply their basic needs. Many people falsely believe that cats, left to their own devices, can survive. They can't! The Humane Society of Southeast Texas received a call this week (05/24/2000) regarding a rottweiler whose family had moved and left him behind. How can someone leave their 4-legged family members behind to starve to death, or worse?

The above five examples are, tragically, only the tip of the iceberg. Although our area does not have dedicated SPCA animal cruelty investigators, the Houston area does. The Houston SPCA animal cruelty investigators respond to more than 4,000 calls about animal abuse, cruelty and neglect every year. Imagine the pain and suffering endured by over 4,000 animals!

We, as individuals, have the power to build a new consensus that rejects neglect and abuse/torture. And, we believe we have the power that can lead to a future where every creature, from the feral cat in Florida to the grizzly bear in Alaska will be respected and cherished, and where every individual life will be protected and revered. Until this future state exists, it is up to each of us to speak for those that have no voice. Your letters, your decisions as consumers, and your votes can make the difference for animals in need. Lobby your Texas legislators for stricter animal cruelty regulations/laws!

We encourage everyone to report acts of animal cruelty to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. We must all take on this responsibility in order to curb pain and suffering (and possibly death) at the hands of people who intentionally inflict pain or neglect animals. Citizens who suspect animal neglect, abandonment, or cruelty should observe characteristics of the animal and his/her environment. Does the animal have access to food, water and shelter? Is his/her area clean? Does the animal have apparent injuries that have not been treated? Does the animal appear to be overly aggressive or timid?

A person witnessing neglect, abandonment, or cruelty - the intentional infliction of pain or injury to an animal, or the killing of an animal by means causing undue suffering - should immediately notify the sheriff's department. Documenting the incident with photographs and videotape can be very helpful in prosecution. If such cruelty is not witnessed directly but is suspected, animal control authorities (within the sheriff's department) should be notified.

Reports of animal cruelty should be as detailed as possible. Dates, times and circumstances should be noted and related to animal control authorities, who should also be made aware of any physical evidence (photos, video, etc.). A person reporting animal cruelty should ask for the name of the animal cruelty investigator and ask what action is planned. Follow up, and report any change observed in the animal's condition and situation.

Abandoning an animal constitutes a violation of Texas' Cruelty to Animals Law (Sec. 42.09). A witness to animal abandonment should try to obtain a description of the abandoning person and their vehicle, and a license plate number, if possible. If the witness feels safe in doing so, the animal should be transported to a safe location.

The tragic problem of animal cruelty and abuse will not stop until each of us, as individuals, takes the responsibility to make it stop! The Humane Society of Southeast Texas is pleading for your assistance in eliminating this type of behavior - forever!

As Thomas A. Edison once said,

"Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living things, we are still savages."

It is our dream that, with your help, animal cruelty ceases to exist!

For a related web site and graphic information related to animal cruelty, you may wish to view the web site www.animalcruelty.com.

Humane Society Contact
(409) 833-0504 or (409) 722-0605

Adoption Hours
Tuesday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday