General Chat

and to think we were once known as the worlds most careing as far as animals were concerned,why is it on the increase? Sign of the times? Poor education? Bad parenting? or just a plain evil society? Your opinions please!

Animal abuse cases rise by fifth Gizmo was unrecognisable as a dog when found by the RSPCA Conviction rates for animal cruelty in the UK have revealed a worrying increase in abuse, the RSPCA has said. The animal welfare organisation said cases in 2005 included a cat dying in a washing machine and a dog whose leg was sawn off by its owners. Convictions for animal cruelty last year increased by a fifth to 2,071, compared with 1,700 in 2004. A RSPCA spokeswoman said inspectors had reported an 'increase in the level of violence' against animals. According to the charity, neglect remains the most common crime. The figures show there has been a sharp increase in the number of animals not receiving basic care. Nearly 26,000 animals did not have access to water - an increase of more than 100% compared with 2004 - while about 35,000 were not getting suitable veterinary treatment, a rise of nearly 80%. In the past where an animal was hit once, it's now hit many times or repeatedly or stabbed Katie Geary RSPCA spokeswoman The RSPCA said a big concern was the increase in the level of ferocity in the cases examined. Spokeswoman Katie Geary said: 'From what our inspectors are saying there seems to be an increase in the level of violence. 'So in the past where an animal was hit once, it's now hit many times or repeatedly or stabbed.' Life ban In one case, Holly Thacker, 34, from Norwich was sentenced to six weeks in jail for deliberately putting her cat Fluffy in a washing machine on a boil wash cycle. A vet believed it would have taken between five and 10 minutes for the animal to die. Thacker was banned for life from keeping household pets. In another case, an RSPCA inspector found a 10-year-old Shih Tzu called Gizmo was so badly matted after not being groomed or trimmed for more than two years that it was unrecognisable as a dog. The dog's owner, Wendy Callan, 37, from Handsworth, Birmingham, was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Bad parenting and lack of respect in children. Though I know there are still a lot of the older generation who still abuse an animals trust. Whatever they do to an animal they should get done to them. Trish (who will not see an animal mistreated even if it is by someone a foot taller and 5 stone heavier).

My Daughter has to attend a court case shortly regarding an attack which she witnessed it involved a someone who used his staff dog to attack a Guy walking down the road with his wife and young child all because the Guy was carrying a brolly, the dog was encouraged to bite the guy, he ended up with terrible injuries, these people have no respect for anyone or any thing Lil

Roxanne - I think a lot of it has to do with our 'throwaway' society. People always seem to want the latest gadget - phone, TV or whatever and I think that some people see pets as no more than desirable accessories, to be discarded when the owner is fed up.

Roxanne, the sad fact is, it's not just animals we treat like this, it's other people as well. Stiffer penalties are needed, not just for cruelty to dogs, but to humans also.

Sheila,I think your right. Teresa, I agree,its not only Animals, you hear something horrendous everyday, be it an adult,child or animal. I just dont understand why!! Have we changed so much that we can treat any life with such little value, or is it the reporting of violence thats increased?

I agree with all that's been posted so far. Unfortunately, the punishments are too namby-pamby. It makes me wonder sometimes why the hell us humans were ever put on this earth, though thankfully there's a lot of good people in the world. x

Roxanne, I think the media is responsible for bringing more violent crime to our attention but I think our respect for each other has greatly decreased. Radio 4 voted Apathy as the eighth deadly sin and I think they are right.

Teresa,Apathy is a good word for todays world, infact its perfect!

hi roxanne, i agree with everyone, but as diane said, our pets should be part of our family, and treated as such, as they give us so much love, and pleasure. bryan.

Diane,Christine and Bryan, I agree with you all!! susan, Your home sounds like ourslol our animals go In any room and both my cats sleep on our bed!lol We have just added a room,we call it 'Oles room' (ole is one of our cats) hes taken over completely,I dont know what we will do when the grandchildren come to visit,it was built for themlol but as both children love cats and any animal ,I dont see a problem. Your son sounds like a lovely young man,its so refreshing to hear good stories with positive out comes,bless you. Roxanne x