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Another slate of animal abuse charges in Warren County will, we hope, send a needed message to those who own animals not to get in over their heads.
Last week, two Youngsville residents were each charged with seven third-degree felony charges related to the late June seizure: one count of each of aggravated cruelty to animals - torture and six counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals - causing serious bodily injury or death. They also each face 31 counts of third-degree misdemeanor neglect of animals - vet care and citations for application dog licenses/fees, penalties, vaccination against rabies required - proof of vaccination and unlawful to operate a kennel without a license. The case is now in the hands of the judicial system, as it should be, but the charges are part of a concerning trend.
In June, a Corry man was charged with abandoning a dog that had previously been mistreated in Freehold Township. Two area residents were charged last fall with abandoning dogs after they broke up, with both blaming the other for leaving the dogs’ abandoned in their former shared home.
There are different real-life circumstances behind stories such as these, but there is one constant – people have made a conscious decision to take in animals, and then made another conscious decision not to care for them properly. It's a pattern of behavior that needs to end, and in our view the only way to do so is for law enforcement and the judicial system to pursue and prosecute charges in animal cruelty cases. The message has to be sent that conditions seen too often in our community aren't suitable for anyone, including animals. There are resources locally, including Paws Along The River, available to help those who are having trouble caring for their animals that should be used more often.
This most recent case also brought back to mind Aimee's Law, a proposal from state Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, to create a publicly accessible registry of individuals convicted of felony animal abuse offenses. The registry would increase transparency, help law enforcement track repeat offenders, and support enforcement of existing penalties for egregious animal abuse. As we said in February, Aimee's Law won't end animal abuse. There will always be people who own an animal and then find themselves unable to pay for its care. But Aimee's Law will help keep those people from owning more animals in the future. Laughlin hasn't yet introduced the bill, but we hope it moves quickly through the state Legislature when he does.