Stiffer penalties for animal abusers

To the editor:

In Wisconsin, Gary Klink tied his dog, Buster, to his truck and dragged the dog until he was bleeding and vomiting. In Missouri, Michael Welch beat his dog, Dusty, to death, stopping midway to take a beer break. For this, Welch was made to perform community service and get counseling. When he finishes his probation, the no-pets order he received will be lifted.

Are these cases of violent cruelty to animals and their legal outcomes unusual? Tragically, no. This is happening in most states. The problem is that our legal system is undercutting the laws that protect animals from abuse by doling out slap-on-the-wrist sentences.

This is an outrage. We must, as a civilized society, demand that the punishment fit the crime. A $100 fine for killing or mutilating an animal is shockingly low. Judges should never return an abused animal to his or her abuser and should not send an animal abuser to do community service at an animal shelter. Judges have the opportunity to send a clear message that violence, in whatever form it takes, is something that our community will not tolerate. Let's encourage judges to rise to that challenge.

JUDY A. GUTH, Cape Girardeau