The Need for Strict Legal Punishment for Animal Abandonment

Almost every month there is a story on the news about an animal being dumped. Why? This is because some ignorant person finds it completely normal to neglect their dog or cat. Animal abandonment is a huge issue in today’s society. Millions of stray animals roam the streets with no proper food or shelter. The consequence for this is a fine that ranges from $50-500 and or imprisonment up to 30 days. However, there should be a bigger repercussion for such inhumane behavior.

The abandonment of an animal should be a felony in all states with imprisonment up to 3 years. Many believe releasing an animal from their home is not a bad thing, due to the fact that they are releasing them from home unfitting for them but they do not realize that “abandoning an animal is practically the same thing as killing it”. When a pet is neglected, it’s very unlikely that it will find its way back home, increasing the amount of stray animals. People who dump their animals in the streets, cleary have the intention to do so, therefore, it should be a crime. They left the dog or cat there knowing that they would have no access to food or a home. Most of these deserted animals are brought into shelters. According to the ASPCA, “approximately 6. 5 million companion animals enter U. S. animal shelters nationwide every year” (ASPCA), showing the current amount of animals being abandoned. Even after an animal is admitted into a shelter, there is a very small chance of it receiving a new home.

When picking what kind of cat or dog they want to adopt, people are very picky. Age, breed, and depending if the owner’s allergies come into play. Especially when it comes to age, most people want to adopt puppies so that they could raise them. If an animal is old, there’s not much of their life and people want a long-term pet. People are prejudice when it comes to the breed, they won’t adopt a certain breed because of a preconceived idea. In addition, although shelters seem like the best solution, animals are often euthanized. Each year, approximately 1. 5 shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats). Some shelters automatically euthanize all unclaimed stray pets (after the minimum 72 hours). 72 hours, let that sink in. These animals have 3 days to be adopted or else their life is taken from them. When a person takes an animal into their home, they are immediately held responsible for said animal. The same thing goes for babies, don’t bring a baby into this world unless you feel ready for that kind of task.

In fact, usually people go through some kind of process to get an animal, it does not matter whether or not if they got it from the street, shelter or another person. Before getting a pet, people do not make plans for how they will continue to care for the pet in events such as relationship break ups, loss of employment and this is true, most people get rid of their pets whenever they come across the smallest inconvenience (aid animals). These people do not understand that taking care of a pet takes responsibility that may cause encumbrances. In spite of all of this, they need to take into consideration and think about how their actions might affect the dog or cat.

Many reasons may lead a person to commit such an act as animal abandonment. Money. People do not have enough money to provide for these dogs or cats :Speaking of financial hardships, another common reason owners abandon their pets during a foreclosure is directly due to the financial cost of taking care of their pets. Food, bed, and supplies can be costly additions to an already strained monthly budget. If the pet needs veterinary care, these expenses can be even more overwhelming and seem an impossible hurdle. Given this, owners will often think that to abandon their pet is the better or only choice. Now, this may seem like an understandable reason but. When it comes to food, bed and supplies, dollar stores are these people’s best bet. On the other hand, veterinary care, these people can ask for donations. Gofundme. com, a website, allows people to donate money for almost anything. They do not even need to set up a page but they can also ask family members or friends.

Animal abandonment should have the same consequence as child abandonment which is “most states classify child abandonment as a felony…. ” and this should also apply to animals. A misdemeanor never exceeds a year in prison but a felony does. Repeatedly, animal abandonment is a “Class A misdemeanor. ” The perpetrator of such a cruel crime needs a punishment that will prevent future crimes. Some may argue that animal life isn’t important compared to human life. These harmless creatures who provide people with comfort and unconditional love are the ones being punished. Anyone who abandons an animal should serve three or more years depending on the extent of the crime. No one should be able to pay a fine and get away with it. These animals are sentenced to death when they are neglected. Although, this won’t stop people from breaking the law, setting a punishment this high can prevent people from doing this in the future.