Final Essay

Hi, it's Nikki! So here is the final draft for the essay I have been writing. I made some changes to the final draft compared to my first rough draft. So here is my essay about Animal Cruelty guys! Oh and I had some help from my friends here at the shelter! (:

Animal Cruelty

Have you ever seen those incredibly sad commercial with dogs and cats that have been victims of animal cruelty? Have you ever wondered why animals are abused and want to know what you can do to help?

 There are many types of animal cruelty which can be found anywhere and happen to different kinds of animals, not just to dogs or cats. Society needs to become aware of this and learn not only how to prevent animal cruelty but we also need to learn the facts about animal cruelty.

 Animal cruelty happens all around us and to all types of different animals. According to Hill, cruelty to animals is the crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, beyond necessity for normal discipline. According to “Animal Cruelty Facts and Statics”, an article found on the Humane Society’s website gave an estimate of how many animals were abused in 2007. Only 1,880 cases of animal cruelty were reported. The reason for which only these few cases were reported is because most cases of animal cruelty are never reported; we will never know the exact number of animals who are abused. In 2007, 1,212 cases of animal cruelty involved dogs, 337 cases involved cats and 470 cases involved other animals.

Investigations into slaughter houses have revealed that animals are also abused in factory farms. There were 20 reported neglect cases involving cows and 8 involving pig neglect. Again, the reason for low amounts of reported case is because many cases go without notice. We need to become more aware of animal cruelty especially since it’s been happening around us for many years. How many years you ask?

 Animal cruelty has many sources and can be traced back for many years. According to “A History of Dog fighting , we learn that Romans began to import British fighting dogs for public entertainment. Large audiences would gather to watch gladiator dogs fight against larger animals, like elephants for example. In the 12^th century the practice of releasing fighting dogs into the ring with chained bulls and bears had grown to be very popular in England. For years this practice was considered a form of entertainment. Although dog fighting has been outlawed in most of the world, at least 40,000 people are involved in dog fighting.

Another source of animal cruelty is farming. The abuse of farm animals didn’t show an influx until the early 19^th century. Most farm animals are forced to endure physical and psychological abuse. Most animals are given steroids to enhance growth and antibiotics to fend off illnesses that are likely to occur in the unsanitary conditions they live in.

 Puppy mills are also a source of animal cruelty. A puppy mill is a commercial dog-breeding facility that focuses on increasing profit with little cost. According to “11 Facts about Puppy Mills”, the animal’s health is not a top priority for people running puppy mills. Animals spend most of their lives in cages with no room to play or exercise. Puppies in mills are usually found with bleeding or swollen paws, feet falling through the wire cages, severe tooth decay, ear infections, dehydration, and lesions on their eyes which often lead to blindness. Only 26 states in the US have laws to regulate commercial kennels to prevent animal abuse and cruelty.

According to “Animal Cruelty”, people are cruel to animals because they don’t understand that they are actually causing pain to the animals. People that have been abused will most likely abuse animals because they think that is the only way to treat others. Some people don’t see animals as creatures but as objects instead.

So you want to help put a stop to animal cruelty? There are many easy things that you can do to help these animals in danger. According to “Top 10 Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty”, there are many easy steps you can take to help animals being abused. One very easy step you can make to prevent animal cruelty is simply by setting a good example to other pet owners. Always show your pets the love and good care they deserve. You can also support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. This includes donated to your animal shelter and even adopting an animal from your local shelter.

 Animal cruelty is seen everywhere and affects many animals. Without people and organizations to stand up for the poor abused animals, animals will continue to suffer for no reason. Animal cruelty has to stop and for that to happen, we need to bring awareness to these cruel actions. With this project I hope to make people more aware of animal cruelty and teach them what they can do to help these innocent animals. Let’s help bring a stop to animal cruelty!

Work Cited

11 Facts About Puppy Mills." Do Something. np, nd. Web. 15 July 2013.                

      <http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-puppy-mills>

"Animal Cruelty Facts and Statics." The Humane Society of the United States. 11 July 2011.                         

      Web. 15 May 2013.      

      <http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/animal_cruelty_facts_statistic s.html.

"Animal Cruelty." Paws.kids. np, nd. Web. 15 May 2013. <http://www.paws.org/kids-animal-      

      cruelty.html>.

Hill, Gerald N, and Kathleen T. Hill. "Cruelty To Animals." The Free Dictionary. 2005. Web. 15             

      May 2013. <http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Animal+cruelty>.

"Top 10 Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty." ASPCA. np, nd. Web. 15 May 2013.                                      

      <http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/top-10-ways-to-prevent-animal.aspx>.

Villavicencio, Monica. "A History of Dogfighting." npr. 19 July 2007. Web. 17 May 2013.             

      <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12108421>.