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Animal abuse law sends a message

We’ve seen far too many cases locally of animal cruelty.

There is a wide range of how it occurs. Some dogs, cats and other animals are beaten, some are starved, some are senselessly killed. Others are forced to live in filthy homes with dozens of other animals, practically stacked upon one another.

And the consequence when these offenders are caught? A slap on the wrist.

We’re proud that that’s changing now in Ohio, with an animal cruelty law recently passed that gives a little more teeth to the possible punishments. Cases can now be considered as fifth-degree felonies rather than misdemeanors.

Aside from increasing the allowable fines and jail time, the law sends a message. A case of abusing an animal is no longer “no big deal.”

Now when our local law enforcement spends the time to find offenders, build a case and get a conviction it may not be in vain.

Whether or not one is an animal lover or  a person who has pets, we should all agree that these animals are living things that do not deserve to be tortured and mistreated. They are not objects–they feel pain, thirst and hunger.

They have no voice to speak up about abuse and must rely on those with a conscience to help them. We’re glad the Ohio legislature stepped up to provide more assistance.

The fact that some really heinous cases of animal abuse have been only misdemeanor crimes has frustrated many of us for years.

We hope the new law is a deterrent and that our prosecutors and judges also send a message about how serious these crimes are.

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