Genesis 1:20-31 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing which the water teems, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning - the fifth day. 

And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kind: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to it's kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all creatures that move along the ground." 

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground. 

Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground - everything that has the breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 

Ruling over each breathing creatures is not oppression or cruelty. We are to protect them, not to use them for our own gains. Nothing in the bible justifies our modern practices, which violates the environment, destroys entire species of wildlife, and inflicts anguishing torture, which leads to death of billions of animals yearly. God instructs us to have respect and give reverence for life, rather than destroying what He created.

Animal abuse stems from different types of faces. The heartless, uncompassionate sick individuals that in most cases start with torturing and mutilating animals at a young age, which escalates to preying upon and doing the same to humans as their needs become more advanced.  There have been several studies done over the past few decades confirming the link between animal cruelty and human violence. 

The American FBI analyzed the lives of serial killers and discovered that virtually all of them, as children and teens, had killed or tortured animals. Other research indicates consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of wife abuse, child abuse and elder abuse.

Maltreatment of pets is often another way that spousal abusers exert control over their victims. Abusers may harm, or threaten to harm an animal in order to intimidate and re-affirm their position of power in the household, to keep their partners from leaving.

Intentional animal cruelty abuse can involve depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization or veterinary care, or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating or killing an animal. Cruelty to animals can be exhibited in children as young as four years, and should never be ignored or minimized. Seek help if your child demonstrates a cruelty behaviour towards animals.

People have to realize that their actions are not only affecting the victimized animals. They are also affecting the surrounding environment. Children learn morals and values from their parents whom they respect most in life. When children witness carelessness and disrespect towards family pets, it can affect their future emotional and behavioural development.

The next category is in the name of sport. Is it sport to take innocent animals and demand it to maim or kill another animal while excited patrons place wagers? This is not sport. It is full-blown animal abuse exploiting animals for their own evil gains and greed. In most countries these are unlawful meets, not held in public areas, but in hidden locations that are moved often, sheltered from the law. The animals are beaten, starved, fed steroids in some cases. The victor is taken home to have it's wounds attended to getting it ready for the next fight, while the limp, bloodied dying body of the loser is left behind to die alone. 

As for the animals, there are no winners. It's only a prolonged death as once the animals become too old and decrepit and outlasts its usefulness; there is no happy retirement. They are either left abandoned or killed. In legalized countries, the dead bodies are given to the poor for food, an offering of good gesture?

Wild animals in many cases are so drugged that so-called hunters take little skill to murder an animal for trophy in some game farms and freed animals are being slaughtered into extinction for coats and objects, such as the seal pups are as well as many on the extinction list.

Also, for corrupt gains are the individuals the police are protecting the public against. They use large dogs, such as rottweillers, pit bulls, and other more muscular, intimidating looking dogs to protect their illegal valuables. These dogs have been severely abused to teach them mean-temperament. Many have been crossbred and inter-breed making them neurotic. Backyard breeding is common amongst these individuals. Some literally have had the dogs voice boxes removed, for purposes to ward off trespassers. As an uninvited person enters, the dog is able to attack silently without warning and causing physical bodily harm. Due to these types of people, the breeds of dogs they own get the bad reputation of being aggressive and vicious, which in fact is sheer myth in accordance to their true demeanour.

These dogs have been trained as guard dogs, but without the proper techniques. Rather, they are beaten with 2X4's, metal rods and steel-toed boots. Their training is brutal and severe with distrust for people and from fear they turn their aggression outwards into hatred. The dogs have been taught to hate as that is all they have known. Some of these dogs luckily to be rescued have needed to be desensitized, similar to that of having to desensitize someone that has been brainwashed. It's a long, drawn out process. With others, their destinies are sealed.

There are people that call themselves animal lovers that have pets of all kinds. They could very well be nice people and believe they are doing a good deed for the welfare of these animals. But they break all the laws and bylaws by allowing them to roam freely, neglecting to get them the necessary vaccinations or licenses according to the city ordnances. Their pets run into traffic, burrow into people flower gardens, defecating on peoples property or spraying in peoples screen windows. They believe it is wrong to keep them indoors and too lazy to take them for walks or play. They are placing the animal at risk and that is abuse. The animals aren't fed properly as they can't afford to feed them appropriately. They tell you they are well fed as they eat the family scraps and they always seem to find food outside. Yes, they rummage through the garbage and become the neighbourhood nuisance. If caught by the local animal catcher, they don't acknowledge it, as theirs. They assume it will be adopted out to another 'good' home, which fact is, they don't want to pay out the money for it. How loving is that?

Others, very similar pay extraordinary amounts of money for an exotic pet. This is for prestige purposes I would assume, but they soon find out their expensive room ornament is messy and vocal. They didn't realize the work that was involved from owning such a pet. Finally, they vacate the animal to a secluded room with no socialization and perhaps not feeding them regularly, now regretting that they had purchased such a 'stupid' animal. Quite often parrots and other exotic birds are in this category and without the proper care and socialization, the bird starts to pluck feathers and lose colour. Hopefully someone comes that takes pity on this poor featherless creature and gives it the love it finally deserves. Usually though, it comes to you from a friend of a friend and therefore the original owner is unknown and doesn't get charged with the crime of animal abuse.

All of the above are animal neglect/abuse despite the form it takes. Something must be done to prevent these atrocities from happening. That's where you come in. If you have read this far, you have taken the first step to awareness. The next step is action and by that I'm not saying for you to jump into a Superman suit and do the impossible. First, if you haven't already done so, educate yourself about what is in an animals best interest. Find out everything you need to know about spaying and neutering. There are already too many unwanted pets and animals in pet shelters across the country. Urge people to adopt from their local animal shelter and give those animals a chance. Think about taking an older, already trained pet rather than a puppy or kitten. They are a lot less work and they will reward you with love, as they know you have saved their life.

Don't be afraid to get involved. If you see something suspicious happening with an animal, phone your local SPCA. You will remain anonymous and the animal's best interest is your first priority. If you suspect, but are uncertain, write down your concerns with the time and place that you think may have occurred, then keep your eyes peeled to see if what you thought might have occurred happens again. False alarms are better than an desperate animal that may need your help. Looking the other way is the same as if you've allowed the abuse yourself.

A dog sneaking out during her heat and becomes pregnant is one thing, as accidents happen. But, if you find this is a reoccurring matter and see signs with puppies for sale, it's a sure sign of backyard breeding going on. If the owner had the dog's best interest at heart they would have had the dog spayed after the first incident to prevent it happening again. The same goes with free kittens to a good home sign. There are already too many abandoned, unwanted pets. Why breed more? By allowing the pet the run of the outdoors these same people are exposing their pets to all sorts of dangers and diseases. Chances are, these are the same animals that haven't had their vaccinations neither. Rabies is a horrible death with no cure. Irresponsible ownership of a pet is still abuse. Would you be shocked to see a 2 year old child outside alone at 1 AM? What would you do then?

Happy Ending Cases

Sandy's Story

Gypsy's Story

Simon's Story

   To Stop Animal Abuse in Canada, we need to get

BILL C-373 passed.

To find out more go to my Stop Animal Cruelty page.

Check out these other informative links:

HELPING ANIMALS

Dog Legislation Council of Canada

Banned Aid Auction for Man's Best Friend

The Real Pit Bull ...Watch the video. GRAPHIC! Not for the faint of heart. 

Pit bull Problem ...Another must see video. Some graphic's are not suitable for children

Canada's Guide to Dogs... regarding Bill 132

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Ontario

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Look at Media Release for Mar. 2, 2005

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