by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know April is officially Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month? So designated by the ASPCA to help raise awareness and support for animal welfare organizations who intervene and try to save animal victims of abuse and neglect. The “A” started the Go Orange for Animals campaign during April as a visual reminder to speak up for animals who have no voice. If you are an animal advocate wear an orange awareness ribbon or pin to silently vocalize the plight of abused animals in our community and beyond.
If you think it doesn’t happen in our bucolic Valley, think again.
Animal cruelty can take many forms and unless you see it in TV commercials, on FB or it hits the papers no one may know about it except the Animal Control Officers and staff at the shelter that are called upon to see the emaciated pet, the abandoned blind and deaf 3 lb. pup, the cats, dogs and rabbits living in filth, or dogs on brutally heavy chains affixed to dilapidated “doghouses” subjected to the horrors of dog fighting. Yes, all and more of these cases right here among us. In my first few years with Warwick Valley Humane Society I took part in the seizure of 15 dogs, 18 cats, 29 pigeons and an iguana all living in a small bungalow. It was my first hoarding cruelty case. Since then there have been several other hoarding cases involving multiple animals of various species including a house fire with 50 horrifically matted dogs and two recent ones with over 100 animals each. We have had cases of dogs with deeply imbedded collars, dogs that were starved to death, kittens and puppies discarded like trash and dogs left tied to trees. We were the lead organization for the infamous dog fighting case in Westtown. Then there are the cases of sheer neglect: dogs left tied outside without shelter, pets subjected to cruelly matted fur, refusal of veterinary care for obvious painful medical conditions, severely overgrown nails and the list goes on.
Obviously, prevention of cruelty to animals should be every day year round. Concerned calls about suspected neglect are key to intervention. In most cases, Animal Control can investigate the situation and if warranted use it as a teaching moment to correct the deficiency. But other times, especially if it is happening behind closed doors, a formal complaint to a law enforcement officer, meaning the police or Sheriff’s deputy, is required to justify a warrant
in order to enter the premises and investigate, alleviate and prosecute. Maybe people are afraid to get involved and animals needlessly suffer and die because of that fear. True animal advocates put that fear aside without hesitation. This April let us all wear that orange awareness ribbon as a badge in recognition of abused and abandoned animals that rely on our eyes and ears and mouth to save them. “See their suffering, Hear their cries, BE THEIR VOICE”!
Pet of the Week:
PS: if you have room, could you include this too with her attached picture?
