Animal abuse plagues Arkansas

Arkansas is one of five states that does not have a felony animal cruelty charge, according to Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.

McDaniel is working to change that. A proposal he is working on would make cock-fighting a felony in the state as well as increase penalties for misdemeanor animal cruelty offenses.

Many people in the past have been concerned about the definitions of animal cruelty and who would be able to enforce the laws. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything about it.

Sen. Sue Madison proposed a bill last year that would have made animal cruelty a felony of the first offense; though that bill failed, she has shown support for McDaniel's proposal.

McDaniel's proposal would introduce the first felony classification for animal cruelty in Arkansas. It would also require psychological evaluations on felony charges.

Psychological evaluations for misdemeanors would be at the judge's discretion.

Here in Jonesboro, the city has considered an ordinance that would ban the tethering or chaining of dogs.

Tethering and chaining dogs causes the dogs to become aggressive and dangerous to the community, not to mention it can do harm to the dogs themselves. The Web site www.unchainyourdog.org shows the damage done to dogs that have suffered from being neglected on a chain.

Also, leaving an animal in the car on a hot day is like leaving a child in the car. People shouldn't do it.

Animal abuse has been known to lead to violence toward people. That is why it is important for legislation to be made.

Abusive behavior toward animals has become a serious problem in Arkansas, and some serious work is needed to try and help the situation.

McDaniel's proposal would be brought up in the 2009 legislative session.