dog training prisoners

(http://www.wsmv.com/family/21538425/detail.html)

This story talks about inmates training dogs that would otherwise be put down, allowing prisoners association with animals and a worthwhile activity. The rehabilitated dogs are later given to families.

This sounds like a good plan to me, just as long as the people in charge of distributing dogs to the prisoners makes sure that none of the prisoners have been convicted of abuse to animals or humans, or of course murderers--since apparently the prisoners are in complete control of the dogs, it would be horrible for the prisoner to get sick pleasure from hurting the animal. Hopefully the prisoners are screened before being given another life to take care of; surely their work with the dogs is monitored.

But as long as the dogs are in decent hands and their lives are saved, and prisoners are given something good to do with their time, more power to them. There's no doubt that caring for an animal can be extremely therapeutical, and hopefully the inmates will become more compassionate people as a result.

Starving an animal isn't serious, just a misdemeanor

According to Lee Maddox of the Tennessee Farm Bureau, refusing to or neglecting to provide an animal in one's care with food or water need only be deemed a misdemeanor and "the punishment should match that crime"( http://www.wsmv.com/news/22825832/detail.html).

Back in February, five malnourished, sick, starving horses were taken from the property of Edward Whiticker of Sumner County. He was sentenced to one year of probation and had to pay 1,000 dollars to a volunteer group who helped care for the starving horses. He supposedly will not be allowed to own horses again.

First of all, there have been numerous stories about animal abusers being told they cannot own or adopt certain animals, but a simple relocation would solve that problem, since the restrictions are based on state legislation, not national. Second, he's been told he can't own horses. But what's going to keep him from owning other animals? Some may say he'll probably learn from his "mistake," but is complete neglect of five horses just a mistake? What people need to realize is that if you are going to own animals, take care of them. No one says you have to own animals. It's a choice. Even if a stray cat or dog shows up on your doorstep, you don't have to keep it. It's a living thing, not an object.

But how many people can say a stray horse has ended up on their doorstep, and out of the goodness of their heart (hahaha) they kept it? How about five horses? Very unlikely. But whether an animal shows up on your doorstep, is given to you, you adopt it, purchase it, or acquire it by other means, if you consent to caring for it and keep it in your vicinity, its wellbeing is your responsibility. This man most likely purchased these five horses--for what, I do not know. Apparently for nothing.

So he serves a year on probation, is down 1,000 bucks, and can't own horses in Tennessee anymore. Five horses suffered for who knows how long and almost died. Five innocent horses. Is that really a fair trade-off?

A bill has been proposed to strengthen animal cruelty laws in Tennessee and to have them applied to all animals. This would be great if it passed. But, there's always a "but." But, according to WSMV-TV Nashville, "The Tennessee Farm Bureau has influence on the state agriculture committee, and that means this bill will probably die next week."

( http://www.wsmv.com/news/22825832/detail.html)

Obviously it's about money. It almost always is.

So the Tennessee Farm Bureau doesn't want livestock included in the bill. There has never been bill against animal cruelty to pass in Tennessee that included livestock. But if the TFB is so worried about livestock being included, there must be happenings that they don't want exposed. But if the animals they use for farming are farmers' tools, why wouldn't they want to keep them in tip-top shape? I guess because that would require time, effort, money, and a little compassion.

I just long for the day when animals will be treated as living things, not as commodities. I can always hope.