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Should there be tougher sentences for animal abusers?

By MSN NZ
Friday, January 29, 2010
Should there be tougher sentences for animal abusers?
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The news this week that two men slaughtered 33 dogs has left many Kiwis wondering what can be done to prevent this kind of animal cruelty.

The SPCA continues to look at prosecuting the perpetrators but National MP Simon Bridges says current penalties not enough to deter animal abusers.

Mr Bridges has called for tougher sentences for people convicted of animal abuse crimes.

The 33 dogs were slain when a neighbourly dispute turned ugly — Russell Mendoza claimed one of Rowan Hargreaves' 39 dogs killed his fox terrier so he and a friend shot 33 of the 39 dogs, many of them pups, at point blank range.

The dogs reportedly screamed in agony and were terrified as the animals around them died.

As one of the injured dogs attempted to bite the rifle the shooter blew its head off, witnesses have said.

Mr Bridges said today the three-year maximum jail sentence for animal cruelty was not enough.

He seeking support for a private member’s bill he is putting in the ballot at Parliament to raise the maximum penalty for wilful ill-treatment of animals to five years' imprisonment.

Do you think there should be tougher sentences for animal abusers? Have your say below. <br/><a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-NZ&vid=ce927bb2-e93a-4e64-bae3-d6d5a33d1faf" target="_new" title="Charges For Dog Massacre">Video: Charges For Dog Massacre</a>

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User comments
I want to0 help stop this sort of thing other than giving money to charity aswell, i feel like people dont even get recognized when this happens, and makes me feel so mad and sick. i dont know why on earth these sick people do this, they should get more than community service or a few months away, or a fine. and still in this generation, people still find it entertaining to harm animals. there should never be an excuse or reason, IT NEEDS TO STOP.
Why do we have human rights? Because we are fragile beings who feel physical and emotional pain and deserve to live lives without torment. Animals are exactly the same! Animals should have rights. Rights to be treated fairly, humanely and live lives free from pain and torment. I cannot comprehend the thoughts and actions of animal abusers - they have psychological problems and should be locked up (or just shot in some cases!). Anyone capable of hurting an innocent animal is obviously capable of hurting a fellow human - as humans are animals too.
I do wonder when I read individuals reactions whenever an animal is brutalised and they state that animal cruelty is not as important as cruelty to children. The truth is, that if animal cruelty, particularly the kind children carry out was stopped, there may be less violence perpetuated against others,including children. Studies have shown that children who are bad to animals become adults who are not only bad to animals, but also bad to humans. Too bad there is not enough attention or money spent on nurturing a child's compassionate behaviour towards all living things
Why is animal cruelty not taken as seriously as human cruelty? I do not understand why a sentence should be any less when killing an animal rather than a person, let alone torturing one like so many stories in the news etc have shown! This is disgusting...33 dogs...The man probably thinks he can get away with it because they were "just animals". I want people like this to have the same treatment they have given to the animals.BUT, Seeing as though he can't have his head blown off..he should serve a very very long time in jail and be fined.
People who can do these horrible things to animals need to have the same treatment done to them. If the animal was shot then shot them to. Im sorry but we need to be taking this alot more seriously if you ask me. Failing that they should be jailed for about 10years and also they should be made to pay at least 10000.00 per animal.
I would like to see New Zealand be as tough if not tougher as America and South Africa when it comes to Animal Abuse. They have the back up of the police and court system over there. If you have Sky check out Animal Cops
I just had to put my wonderful dog of 15 years down,yesterday and it has to be the saddest thing I have ever had to do..To imagine anyone killing 33 dogs due to a neighbor dispute,is inhuman and they should be sentenced to the maximum penalty and also they should also be made to work with animals for the same amount of time as their sentence and be with people who have a love for animals to see how others interact with creatures. It may open their eyes to many things that may help them grow as a human being.. The whole attitude in New Zealand regarding dogs is so 3rd world..Sorry guys you need to get more with it,,,seems all parties involved need some basic human and dog training and also what it takes to care and maintain so many dogs in one household..When I go dog sledding in the Yukon,,there are sometimes up 50 dogs on the property,,and not once have I ever seen dogs gone wild in this scenario,I find myself at a loss for words regarding this incident.bunch of yahoos that need jail
These people are absolutley disgusting and should be locked away forever
Yes. Also farmers that kill cows and sheep etc should also be sent to jail. Why love one and eat the other?
I get sick of seeing the cruelty we as people deal out to all animal species. It's never ending. What a dysfunctional species we turned out to be. KILLING FOR PLEASURE. The so called superior beings. HA! When are we going to wake up. There are so many disasters happening on this planet and it's increasing every day. When are we going to wake up. What goes around comes around. I think its called KARMA.

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