Voices for the Voiceless: Uniting Against Animal Cruelty

Introduction:

Dogs are known for their loving and dependable personality and serve as wonderful companions to us humans. Their impact goes beyond companionship; scientific research shows that dogs provide significant mental health benefits and immense emotional support. Their various roles in human lives have undoubtedly been celebrated for centuries. Our favorite furry friends have also had an overwhelming need in our communities. But even with the close and vital relationship that exists between humans and dogs, there are still a lot of animals in the US that are victims of abuse and neglect. “Around 10 million animals die from animal abuse, neglect or cruelty every year in the U.S.”. Animal cruelty must be addressed immediately to prevent this terrible reality that many animals live on a daily. We may better comprehend the value of keeping dogs safe when we recognize the enormous beneficial effects they have on human lives. But continuing these evil acts not only results in excruciating pain for the animals involved, but they also highlight larger social problems. A comprehensive strategy is needed to address animal abuse including strengthened legislation, improved enforcement, and more public awareness. By supporting the preservation of dogs and other animals we help create a society that is kinder and more compassionate. The need to protect dogs' safety and health strengthens as we learn more about their amazing contributions to our lives. Research shows that dog owners frequently have lower blood pressure, less stress, and are happier people overall (American Heart Association, 2021). These advantages emphasize the significant positive effects that dogs have on our physical and emotional well-being, emphasizing the significance of giving them the respect and care that they earn. Taking this last quarter to research and examine the influential values that canines pose has opened up a whole new array of passion for me. I think becoming educated and gaining knowledge I’ve never had has been such a game-changer for me. There is now no excuse to be negligent and unconscious of the problem. I now know the steps needed to take action and stand up for what’s right. That’s why educational expansion and spreading awareness are such an important aspect of advocacy. We must continue fighting for change and implementing new laws to ensure the safety and protection of animals. 

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Problem:

The persistent abuse and neglect of dogs in the United States is a serious and pressing matter that requires prompt attention and intervention. Approximately every 60 seconds an animal dies from abuse, neglect, and violence. Within those 60 seconds, two out of three of those animals are dogs (Hrubenja,2020). Those disheartening statistics are just a small portion of the grueling and harsh reality that many animals face on a daily basis. The Ronda Murphy case in April of 2024, is just one of many examples that has brought lots of attention to the immense need for more animal justice. When police searched a local dog shelter, they found tons of animals living and dying in the most gruesome conditions.  "I've never had to walk out of a house as fast as I had to walk out of the houses these dogs lived in. The ammonia smell was unbearable," said Abigail Forkner, a Butler County deputy dog warden. "It's nothing that any dog should have ever had to live in for any period of time.". Between dog bodies that were found in the freezer and others so starved that their bodies were liquified, prosecutors found around 30 dead animal bodies throughout the process. This is just one of thousands and thousands of cases being discovered daily. Dogs are subject to all kinds of abuse and they are hurt in more ways than one. It’s also important to note that these types of abuse might not always been intentional. “Today new forms of animal cruelty turn up all the time — without even being recognized as cruelty, since their impact on the lives of intelligent beings is barely considered.”. Abuse can also include food deprivation, purposefully hurting or beating an animal, abandonment, and so many more cruel punishments. Lou, a French bulldog is one of many more cases that explains the deep rooted effects of animal abuse. Lou was left without food and water for weeks and left out in extremely cold conditions to die (Verse, 2024). This horrific case illustrates the psychological damage that abusive events may cause in addition to the physical pain that animals go through. Even after surviving such torture, Lou and other animals frequently need extensive recovery and physical therapy and may have long-term psychological problems. When will an animal's life be considered valuable of rights? When does this issue become severe enough to receive attention beyond just a few news articles, and a link to donate? “Around 3.3 million dogs are abandoned by their owners and find themselves in shelters every year, waiting to get a new chance at life.". When will these statistics be lowered, and when will we start taking them seriously? Animal abuse is a severe issue because it violates moral standards in society and causes needless pain to living beings by displaying a lack of sympathy. Another example of animal abuse is the use of animals in scientific research. This is such a huge issue in today’s society and is sometimes overlooked and justified because its for ‘educational purposes’. But how about we consider the emotional and physical beung of these poor animals. In the article “Used, reused or euthanized: A dog’s life in animal research”, Maya Trabulsi talks about how tramatized beagles become after being tested on for over 7 years. Although beagles have a naturally forgiving nature, their emotional and physical well being will be scared forever. These poor animals should not be enduring this type of pain. Linked below is the full audio of the news article published on August 12, 2022.

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Listen closely to the horrifying cries and moans that the animals pour out when being tested on. How is this not enough to prevent this inhumane acts from ever happening again? Why is it still being allowed and justified? All of these disturbing cases are just small accounts of millions of animal abuse cases in the world. When you take a step back and look at all the horrifc realities, you should feel obligated to stand up and make a difference.

Solution:

Beyond particular cases like Ronda Murphy's, we need to discuss the broader issue of why animal abuse still occurs. The lack of resources and financing for groups dedicated to animal welfare is a significant issue. Too few employees and little funding mean that many shelters and rescues fail to provide for all the animals in need. Who can we hold responsible for allowing these animals to suffer? This problem has impacted globally all over the world and has brought attention to many communities. Four Paws is one charity that is just one of many that effectively addresses these issues. This global organization for animal welfare is committed to protecting animals from terrible situations, providing them with the care they require and advocating for more efficient legislation for protecting animals. Four Paws demonstrates what is possible when one has the proper tools and a sincere dedication to animal welfare. It's organizations like this that can create global impact for many to see. It also gives many resources and opportunities for anyone, anywhere to take action. Although this is a complicated and multifaceted issue, little strives to raise awareness can really help save the lives of so many animals. Furthermore, an even bigger stride would be pushing for more stricter laws. Getting our laws strengthened to deter animal abuse in its early stages as well as enforce better penalties for those who commit such acts is a huge push and can do the most change for the lives of our precious animals. This is where the importance of strong legislation comes into play. Stricter laws and harsher punishments for animal cruelty are essential to prevent abuse and ensure justice for affected animals. One example is increasing PACT (Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act) coverage and taking into consideration the animals and their feelings. “The scientific community should stop viewing animal testing as an unavoidable evil in the search for medical and technological innovation. PACT should be amended and extended to all animals, and the FDA should modify the requirement for preclinical animal testing of all drugs and medical devices.". Increasing and making sure that all aspects of animal cruelty laws are guaranteed to protect the lives of so many animals is such a huge stepping stone in the fight against animal cruelty. The disheartening reality is that so many people see this scientific testing as innovation and morally okay to proceed. They most of the time justify their actions by referring to the 3 R’s as “ways to perform scientific research efficiently”. It’s blatant neglect and insensitive perspectives like this that make change so difficult. Researchers are using methods like the 3 R’s to beat around the bush and avoid facing the true problem. It’s immensely important to educate ourselves and fight against these toxic habits embedded in our society. It's equally as important to keep questioning these aspects and push for more stricter laws. 

Beyond pushing for stricter laws and visiting the pages of organizations, we have a moral obligation to advocate and use our own voice. This quarter in class we were pushed to use our platforms to raise awareness and find solutions to the pressing issues in animals' lives. Even though simple Twitter posts and blogs written on our website didn’t get global attention, strides like this help spread the word and create attention that is so direly needed. By sharing posts with our classmates, and viewing the perspectives of so many others, it has opened my eyes to so much new information. I think that getting to dive deeper into these issues made me strive and want to be better. The gain of knowledge and the alternative insights to all pressing issues made me truly sit back and reflect on what I can do in my personal life to make a change. One way of showing support is by only using cruelty-free products. As a huge makeup lover, I will now only buy cruelty-free products. This small step is another stone in the larger effort to help animals. Additionally, donating to charities that help animals is a great way to show support for their cause. I will now go on to share my new knowledge with my personal platforms and create more change for all to see. All of these helpful tools can promote healthy living habits and create an environment that advocates for the well-being of all animals.