SAN ANTONIO – Animal abuse is more common than most people realize. Previously listed as “other,” animal cruelty was hard to track, making it hard for researchers to get statistics.
In January however, the FBI classified animal cruelty as a group A felony, likening it to homicide, arson and assault, making it easier to compile statistics.
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Recent case
The latest instance of animal cruelty in San Antonio involves a critically ill dog found at the bottom of a dumpster.
A five-year-old Labrador retriever was found surrounded by flies, covered in trash, and suffering from heat stroke. Animal Care Services nicknamed the lab Millie.
Unfortunately this case isn’t unique. Millie is one of thousands of dogs across the U.S. who has suffered from abuse.
Statistics and laws
The most commonly reported animal abuse involves dogs, the majority of which are pit bulls, according to Humanesociety.org.
Cats are the second-most common animal cruelty victims followed by horses and livestock.
There are laws in place to protect animals against cruelty, but some argue the penal system is failing its four-legged friends.
In March 2015 a Bexar County judge sentenced Amanda Villarreal to 10 hours of community service and fined her $200 after she pleaded no contest to animal cruelty.
An animal abuser can be prosecuted for seriously overworking an animal, abandoning an animal, failing to provide food, water, care or shelter and torture.
For a complete list of Texas statutes that involve cruelty to non-livestock animals click here.
Adopt a shelter pet
April 30 is national adopt a shelter pet day. Millions of animals live in shelters across the country and are in need of a permanent, loving home.
There are an estimated 13,600 animal shelters nationwide according to Aspca.org. Some of these are known as “kill shelters” where animals are euthanized.
“Putting down the unwanted might indeed be the cheapest and fastest way to protect the health of the humans that the Department of Health has to deal with. Space is often the biggest issue: Animals with curable ailments and zero behavior problems are often euthanized simply because there just isn’t enough room, and sacrifices have to be made so that the next batch of animals has a place to sleep that night,” reports Ayelet Blumberg of Thedo.gs.
These shelters are poorly funded and, understandably, short on volunteers. The best way to keep animals out of kill shelters is to spay and neuter your pets to help get the animal population under control.
Celebrate national adopt a shelter pet day by sharing pictures of your adopted pet on social media using #AdoptAShelterPetDay and don’t forget to tag @KSATnews.