The following letter-to-the-editor appeared in our local paper's online
edition, but it's a pay-to-view site, so I will cut-n-paste it here:

Increase punishment
To the editor:

In Wisconsin, Gary Klink tied his dog, Buster, to his truck and dragged the
dog until he was bleeding and vomiting. For this, Klink paid a small fine
and Buster was returned to him. In Missouri, Michael Welch beat his dog,
Dusty, to death, stopping midway to take a beer break. For this, Welch was
made to perform community service and get counseling. When he finishes his
probation, the "no pets" order he received will be lifted.

Are these cases of violent cruelty to animals and their legal outcomes
unusual? Tragically, no - this is happening in most states. The problem is
that our legal system is undercutting the laws that protect animals from
abuse by doling out slap-on-the-wrist sentences.

This is an outrage, and we must, as a civilized society, demand that the
punishment fit the crime: a $100 fine for killing or mutilating an animal is
shockingly low. Judges should never return an abused animal to his or her
abuser and should not send an animal abuser to do community service at an
animal shelter. Judges have the opportunity to send a message that
violence - in whatever form it takes - is something our community will not
tolerate. Let's encourage them to rise to that challenge.

Iris S. Carr, Bloomington

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