Petland employee drowns two rabbits - sign the petition

[dorim]

You can read the disturbing story on the petition site:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pet...owning-bunnies

[Patrician]

Thank you.

I will sign in the name of my dear bunny Blessing, RIP.

It is horrendous how 'people' treat rabbits in this world. You can only hope they get the same in return.

[TLTheLiberator]

Originally Posted by dorim

You can read the disturbing story on the petition site:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/pet...owning-bunnies

What will the petition do??

TL

[Patrician]

Possibly influence the court in prosecuting and sentencing this person.

... and as it says on the site, this store has a reputation for this kind of treatment of animals.

A neighborhood or city council can influence decision makers in granting permits, licenses etc. or NOT.

I remember once we actually drove Walmart out of the Haight Ashbury. I couldn't believe a bunch of radicals had any power - but it was actually Walmart that caved, sensing that it was perhaps not the right environment. (hint: cannot get insurance for plate glass windows there).

It would have actually been completely wrong for a neighborhood of small Victorian age buildings with boutique sized stores and small businesses. Haight St is a narrow little street (with no off-street parking). They would have completely ruined the environment.

[christftw]

Signed. Hopefully it’ll do some good…but if not, I’ve reserved the right to whine about by doing my part! heh

[Emily Meeks]

People are sick and horrifying. That's all I have to say.

[Kay King]

Before signing any petition, I always check the facts.

The incident occurred in July - the Petland store where it happened lost its franchise and was closed - the employee responsible has been charged with animal abuse.

It's over - there is no need for a petition as the only charges under Ohio law for a first offense of animal abuse are misdemeanor charges and only a second charge becomes a felony.

What is more important to me than signing one petition about one case that has already been solved is working to encourage state governments to make animal abuse a felony from the first offense. It's important but few states have such statutes.

kay

[Loren Woirhaye]

Animal abuse legislation is a pretty facetious, though emotional
issue. Anybody here have any idea about what goes on
in the meat industry?

You want to know about animal cruelty on a scale of 10 billion
per year in the United States alone, then look at how you support
it with your habits.

I'm just saying... cause just because an animal is cute
doesn't make the act of slaughter any more or less cruel.

[KimW]

Loren,
There is a huge difference between killing two rabbits for kicks and the killing of animals so we can eat.

[Loren Woirhaye]

that's your opinion I guess. Ever killed your own dinner?

[Michael Motley]

did they eat them afterwards? killing just to kill is one thing, killing and eating is something else. sorry bunny lovers, but fluffy makes a fine meal.

[ThomM]

the rabbits were drowned after sustaining agonizing injuries when they were allowed to "attack and eat each other."

Rabbits attacking and eating each other?

[centexn]

I wring their little necks and eat them...yummmm...rarebit as it was known before I was a twinkle in my papy's eyes.

[centexn]

We treat our animals better than we treat our unborn..talk about perspective.

[Kay King]

I like my animals better than I like your unborn....

[Kay King]

I'm not a Peta person and understand food chains and livestock.

I hope I never understand or accept mindless, needless cruelty.

But I do not condone buying pets from pet stores, either. It encourages more breeding and is the reason there are such abominations as puppy mills in this country.

kay

[Bill Farnham]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

Ever killed your own dinner?

Yup, hundreds or thousands of times.

Depends on how big the meal is. Especially, if we're including fish here.

The last 12 were Geese. Just in case anybody else is counting.

KJ

[KimW]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

that's your opinion I guess. Ever killed your own dinner?

Yes, I have, have you?
And it isn't opinion, its fact.

[reikidad1961]

Originally Posted by Kay King

Before signing any petition, I always check the facts.

The incident occurred in July - the Petland store where it happened lost its franchise and was closed - the employee responsible has been charged with animal abuse.

It's over - there is no need for a petition as the only charges under Ohio law for a first offense of animal abuse are misdemeanor charges and only a second charge becomes a felony.

What is more important to me than signing one petition about one case that has already been solved is working to encourage state governments to make animal abuse a felony from the first offense. It's important but few states have such statutes.

kay

The incident occured in July, you are right. It went to court in August, but sentencing has not taken place yet. I believe it will be in December if I read it correctly so the petition is to try to influence the punishment if that is even possible.
Getting the States to make animal abuse a felony takes time and its cases like this one with people being outraged and signing petitions that is the start of getting this to happen.
I sent the petition to others who had no idea things like this went on in pet stores, perhaps they will spread the word and enough informed and interested people working together may just make a difference in how animal abuse is regarded in each state.
I didn't know about puppy mills till I saw it on Oprah, you have to start someplace letting the world know about it and this forum is one place where the OP is letting others know that animal abuse occurs in pet stores.

[reikidad1961]

Originally Posted by centexn

We treat our animals better than we treat our unborn..talk about perspective.

Is that because people abort their unborn?

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

that's your opinion I guess. Ever killed your own dinner?

So you NEVER eat? ALL food deprives or kills. ALL!!!!!! Hey, my last meal had rice(most is harvested by killing rice, and you DO deprive them of seed!), beans(depriving seed), chicken*(killed), etc... Before that I had a product that had MILK(deprive cows, and their calfs, of milk). You NEVER wore leather, ate jello, etc...?

SOME sahy plants can't think, etc... but THINK about it! Go there, and it is a slippery slope.

well, I HAVE caught fish. When I last ate Hasen pfeffer, I DID see it starring back at me.

Steve

[ecoverartist]

Shelter pets all the way!

[Patrician]

Let's not get off into some hair brained pissing contest/conflict here.

This issue is not about anything other than monstrous, NEEDLESS cruelty to animals.

Unfortunately they die when we eat. That is a fact of life. Nothing to be proud of but we gotta eat so nothing to be ashamed of either.

We should however try to kill it humanely, as well as to let them live whatever life they have in a way that shows we are not hideous monsters.

What the point is, is callous, sadistic treatment of innocent animals- beings if you will. Any being. ...and the appropriateness of severe punishment for same.

Stupid antagonistic arguing about rice and its feelings is just stupid sparring. It was intended to be eaten. If you didn't eat it, it would have lived in vain.

How cruel is that?

[Bill Farnham]

Originally Posted by Patrician

Stupid antagonistic arguing about rice and its feelings is just stupid sparring. It was intended to be eaten. If you didn't eat it, it would have lived in vain.

How cruel is that?

Thanks Pat, that's the funniest thing I've read all day.

I'm still laughing my butt off...

(It's true, btw )

KJ

[luvtrees]

Signed. Petitions do make a difference sometimes.

[Kay King]

When I see questions about "what do you value" my first answer is always "kindness".

In a world where callousness and cruelty is so often accepted, kindness shines.

kay

[Michael Oksa]

Originally Posted by ecoverartist

Shelter pets all the way!

Yes!

To me, anybody that buys from a breeder and pays $100s or $1000s is encouraging needless breeding - breeding for profit.

If someone REALLY cares about animals, then getting a pet from a shelter (rescue variety or not) is the better thing to do.

All the best,
Michael

[KimW]

Whats the difference between breeding for profit and Internet Marketing for profit?
Business is business and we live in a capitalisit society.
Just because you purchase a animal from a breeder doesn't mean you are supporting puppy mills and/or any form of inhuman animal treatment.

Many years ago my family raised, bred, and showed miniature Pinchers(sp) miniature daschunds, and Samoyeds.
We had the top showing wire haired miniature daschund in the nation for several years in a row. Because of that my parents were able to charge top dollar to stud him out.

Our dogs were extremely well taken care of.Treated much better than the average pet dog. They were literally putting food on our table.

Please dont lump legitimate breeders in the same category as those that abuse animals, it isnt fair.

[Michael Oksa]

Hi Kim,

My point isn't that ALL breeders are bad. Puppy mills ARE.

My point is that breeders would be put out of business if everybody went to shelters to get their pets. The problem isn't that there aren't ENOUGH pets already, so why continue to breed them.

Internet marketing is not the same as breeding animals - because an actual life is at stake. Using your argument you could say what's the difference between drug smuggling or selling sex slaves; after all, they are about making money, right?

Anyway, not trying to jump on you. Just trying to clarify my opinion on the matter.

All the best,
Michael

[Patrician]

I agree Kim - people should not always paint every breeder with the same brush as puppy mills.

However I think the point is there are thousands of dogs that are 'put to sleep' when people abandon them or they stray and then nobody adopts them.

I have to agree that if someone wants a pet it would be much better to adopt the ones that need a home than to buy one from a breeder - that is of course unless they are looking for a pedigree or show dog. No crime in that if they are.

[Kay King]

Whats the difference between breeding for profit and Internet Marketing for profit?
Business is business and we live in a capitalisit society.
Just because you purchase a animal from a breeder doesn't mean you are supporting puppy mills and/or any form of inhuman animal treatment.

I was talking about pet stores and puppy mills - not about breeders. Reputable breeders don't sell to pet stores these days if they ever did.

Breeding for profit for a good, reputable breeder is a business and they take care of that business and the animals for that business. I urge people to adopt animas who need homes - but if they want purebreds I tell them to go to reputable breeders and NOT to a pet store.

A puppy mill isn't a breeder - it's like a slum lord. Dogs live in tiny cages for years with no exercise - their paws are deformed from standing on wire cage bottoms. They are not groomed, not well fed, are matted with feces and more of them are diseased than not. They never know any kindness or have anything other than suffering - the only dogs that escape are the puppies sold and they are often sick when purchased.

Another one was shut down about 2 hours north of here recently and the 80 dogs they brought out from the barn their cages were "housed" in would break your heart. No breeder would ever treat his animals that way.

Major investigations covering several states have found that 90% of the puppies in pet stores come not from good breeders but from these horrid "mills". It's not the same.

kay

[pakidesigner]

This is a such a horrible act.

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

Yes!

To me, anybody that buys from a breeder and pays $100s or $1000s is encouraging needless breeding - breeding for profit.

If someone REALLY cares about animals, then getting a pet from a shelter (rescue variety or not) is the better thing to do.

All the best,
Michael

I totally disagree. Purebreds give more predeictable traits and health. Without purebreds, we wouldn't have dogs that can retrieve, with greater senses of smell, large, small, protection, non-allergetic, etc.

German bred german shepards/rotties/dobies don't have nearly the health problems like hip displasia as do the American bred breeds. But there are many American breeders that do a great job.

It isn't cheap to raise a pup until they are 2 years old, which is needed to tell if a dog will develope certain health problems like displasia. At this point, a good breeder won't breed dogs with these health (or temperment) problems.

A well bred dog is a great investment. I'd much rather pay a good breeder $1000 for a dog that's been bred correctly, than pay $1000's later to a vet to try to "fix" displaced hips (or other problems, like cancer and blindness) caused by inferrior or random breeding.

And while a good breeder will make some money, being a dog breeder of quality dogs won't make anyone rich, and it takes lots of care and patience top produce healthy and happy dogs that comform to breed standards.

[Michael Oksa]

So people SHOULDN'T get pets from shelters?

Or do you mostly disagree, as opposed to totally?



It's cool, either way. I am not a pet person, but I wish them no harm and believe the law is not harsh enough on many people who abuse animals.

All the best,
Michael

p.s. I respect your point, Kurt, and am just having a little bit of fun.

[centexn]

Reiki.....

Yes. How do the Africans say it? Takes a village to rear a child. What is puzzling is the hue and cry over animals cruel treatment which in itself is bad enough. For the sake of our souls I wish we were as enraged over the slaughter of the innocents. Why might I even say such a thing given the incendiary nature of the subject. Easy, I was responsible for two aborted babies which has caused me far more deep sadness and grief than I can adequately express. I don't feel the same depth of sadness and grief over the loss of our animal friends.

[THY]

The most effective way for us to help is to stop buying from the store. A person like myself maybe spending just a few bucks so it might not make a difference BUT what if everybody decides to do the same.

[KimW]

I see Kurt seems to be the only one that got what I was saying.
Michael O asked why breed? And Kurt had the answer.
It may be different now, but back when my family was breeding dogs, it was because of the love for the animal. For the desire to see the breed maintained when every mutt out there was diluting the breed.
I am not against getting animals from the pounds and shelters out there. Some of the best pets I've known have been mixed breeds,but what I was responding to was the idead that if everyone got their pets from shelters that they could put breeders out of business (and the idea that they should be put out of business).

[Bill Farnham]

Originally Posted by KimW

It may be different now, but back when my family as breeding, it was because of the love for the animal.

Kim, as a fellow Virginian, I wished you had phrased that a little differently...

KJ

[ThomM]

Originally Posted by Michael Oksa

So people SHOULDN'T get pets from shelters?

Or do you mostly disagree, as opposed to totally?



It's cool, either way. I am not a pet person, but I wish them no harm and believe the law is not harsh enough on many people who abuse animals.

All the best,
Michael

p.s. I respect your point, Kurt, and am just having a little bit of fun.

I get what you are saying Mike and I get what Kim and Kurt are saying.
If I wanted another cat or dog I would do the shelter route over a pet store all day.
If I wanted a specific breed such as an Egyptian Mau or a Savannah Cat I would go to a breeder who also shows the animals. In fact I was checking out both of those cats on line last night and almost every breeder's web site I was on required an application just to be considered. If you are considered as a possible owner from the application then an interview is required before you can pay a deposit and be placed on a waiting list.
Also on all the sites it is stated that all the cats sold will be spayed or neutered before being sold (in addition to having all shots and vet exams).
Trying to buy one that isn't is impossible unless you are a licensed breeder and even then the original breeders either have to know you already or you have to supply references from other breeders of that breed.

So I do agree that the puppy and kitten mills that supply pets to pet stores do need to be shut down, but making a blanket statement that you should only buy or get a pet from a shelter is wrong.

[Kay King]

I totally disagree. Purebreds give more predeictable traits and health. Without purebreds, we wouldn't have dogs that can retrieve, with greater senses of smell, large, small, protection, non-allergetic, etc.

German bred german shepards/rotties/dobies don't have nearly the health problems like hip displasia as do the American bred breeds. But there are many American breeders that do a great job.

I agree - and though I choose to rescue I have friends who prefer certain breeds and I've gone with several to choose the right pup. Without fail, the breeders had clean facilities and the dogs were well cared for.

In the US the public sentiment of preferring one "breed" over another has led to massive overbreeding of dogs such as shepherds, collies, dalmations - all it takes is cute movie and everyone wants "that" dog. It's sad for the breeds as overbreeding exaggerates health problems. Also, people choose a dog because of a cartoon movie and have no idea what the breed characteristics are - not smart.

The result is an overabundance of the breed ending up in shelters. If you've never visited an animal shelter in a well populated area you would be surprised at how many purebreds are there. It's the result of people buying breeds with no understanding of traits or training - and most recently the economy has contributed to the problem as those losing homes are giving up their dogs.

Often a mixed breed is healthier these days. In my experience, any breed crossed with a lab gets the lab personality and that's always good.

For those here who are making their political statement:

GO AWAY - we don't want to hear it. I'm sick of "agendas".

kay

[ThomM]

Often a mixed breed is healthier these days. In my experience, any breed crossed with a lab gets the lab personality and that's always good.

My last dog was a mix that had Lab in it, smartest dog I ever owned, bar none.
She also developed Diabetes and I had to give her 2 insulin shots a day for 5 years till she developed complications and I had to put her down
I blame the Diabetes more on when my mother had her as she fed the dog whatever she was eating including a lot of candy.


As a side, last night in addition to checking out breeders of Mau's and Savannah's I also looked on PetFinder.com for any that where available for adoption and if I do decide to get serious then I will look in the shelters around here for one first.
A Mau I might find in a shelter or I know they are on petfinder, a Savannah I seriously doubt I would find anywhere but from a breeder.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savannah_(cat)

[Kay King]

Beautiful animal!