By Caoimhlín and Rebecca

Animal Cruelty

What is Animal Cruelty?

Animal cruelty/animal abuse is the human infliction of causing suffering or physical/mental harm to a non-human (animal). The most common type is killing them for their food or their fur. Other people harm them just for sheer joy. These awful people are jailed for 1-5 years and face up to a £25,000 fine. This isn’t fair as it should be classed as murder. The charge for murder is AT LEAST 10 years and could possibly go up to a life sentence. A number of films have been condemned for using animal abuse. An infamous film was Michael Cimino’s Heaven’s Gate. Cimino allegedly killed chickens and bled horses from the neck to gather samples of their blood to smear on actors for Heaven's Gate, and also allegedly had a horse blown up with dynamite while shooting a battle sequence. This shot even made it into the film.

Animal neglect is when someone does not give the animal the proper care that they should be given. This could include not feeding animals at all or providing them with the proper food that they should have. It also includes leaving them in confined and filthy places which is no place for an animal. One of the worst cases ever seen was a cat being placed in a MICROWAVE for 10 seconds after which it was DUNKED into water. Another is a grandmother, aged 32; starving her dog for two years and making him live in a back garden filled with rubbish.

Circuses and Bull-Fighting.

A circus has a huge role to play with regards to animal cruelty. Circuses usually include animals in their performances BUT in an entirely new way than the humans. If the animal does not do what the ringmaster has said, he will punish them. They use whips to get the animals to do their bidding backstage and sometimes do it on stage! Whilst travelling, the animals are kept in confined spaces with lack of proper veterinary care. In 2009, Bolivia passed legislation banning the use of any animals, wild or domestic, in circuses. The law states that circuses "consist of multiple acts of cruelty." Circus operators had one year from the bill's passage on July 1, 2009 to comply. In 2010, Lebanese animal rights groups became enraged when it was revealed that wild performing animals belonging to the Monte Carlo Circus were transported from Egypt to Lebanon without being provided with food and water. Due to the restrictions of animal cruelty, some circuses perform animal-free.

Bullfighting has also been criticised by animal rights committees referring to it as a cruel, barbaric, bloody sport in which the bulls suffer a slow, painful and torturous death. The Bulletpoint Bullfight states that bullfighting is not for the squeamish and advises the spectators to be ‘prepared for blood and gruesome activity.’ It includes bleeding caused by horse-mounted lancers, the placing of barbed darts on the bulls, and the matador's fatal sword attack. It stresses that these procedures are a normal part of bullfighting and that death is rarely instantaneous. It also warns those watching to ‘be prepared to witness various failed attempts at killing the animal before it lies down.’ No Pet Policies

Many apartment complexes and rental homes have initiated no pet policies. No pet policies are a leading cause of animal abandonment, which is considered a crime in many places. In many cases, abandoned pets have to be euthanized due to the strain they put on animal shelters and rescue groups. Abandoned animals often become feral or contribute to feral populations. In particular, feral dogs can pose a serious threat to pets, children, and livestock. Feral cats are known to hunt endangered birds and have interbred with wild cat populations.

In Ontario, Canada, no pet policies are outlawed under the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Act and are considered invalid even when a tenant signs a lease including a no pet legislation.

Countries laws for cruelty

In the United Kingdom, cruelty to animals is a criminal offence. You may be jailed for up to 51 weeks and or fined up to £20,000.

On August 1911, the House of Commons introduced the Protection of Animals Act 1911 following lobbying by the RSPCA. The maximum punishment was 6 months of ‘labour’ with a small fine of 25 pounds.

In Japan, the Welfare and Management of Animals Act states that "no person shall kill, injure, or inflict cruelty to animals without due course.” They say that no cruelty is to come to any animals possessed by a human; such as horses, sheep, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens, regardless of whether they are in captivity.

Cody is a collie from Ireland who was put down after being doused in accelerant and set alight alive. A young man aged 23, admitted to the vicious assault. He spent 10 months in jail. The incident happened in 2012 in a quarry near Maghaberry. The judge stated the attack was both "evil and vile", and "beyond comprehension". The young man was also banned from owning or keeping any animal for at least 30 years. He was ordered to pay Cody's owners £2,600. It makes it far worse considering that he didn’t even own the animal. The dog went through so much pain and suffering that he had to be put down rather than letting him go through any more. Cody's owners welcomed the jail sentences.

"The kids are still having trouble sleeping at night and dealing with the issues. We are happy with the sentencing, but we still have to live with this for the rest of our lives."

Chief Inspector Jonathan Wilson said: "Animal cruelty will not be tolerated, and this case proves that when we find someone has subjected an animal to cruelty we will work with our partner agencies to help ensure the culprit faces the consequences of their actions."

In my opinion this is one of the worst cases that have ever been seen regarding animal cruelty.

In my local town I decided to get some answers about what owning a dog is REALLY like. I am interviewing a woman who has had her dog for years and would do anything for him.

Q; So, How long have you had your dog?

A: I have had him 3 and a half years. My mother gave him to me.

Q: Have you heard of all of the cruelty stories?

A: I have and I think it is absolutely horrible. Q: How would you feel if this was your animal being abused by your own neighbours?

A: I would feel very angry, upset and very betrayed considering they are my friends.

Q: What do you think the appropriate sentence would be for something as awful as this?

A: At least seven to ten years in jail.

Q: Actually it goes as low as a few weeks. Now, last thing. Is it true that your dog Max saved your life? Explain what happened.

A: Well I was in bed asleep when my smoke alarm went off. Max ran up to my bedroom and fetched me my nightgown and got me up. If it wasn’t for him I might have died! Ever since that I will never hurt him.

Now thanks for letting me interview you! Hope you and Max have a great day  Baby elephant recused from mud pit A baby elephant has been rescued from a mud pit after being trapped for several days. The baby elephant was freed in China’s Yunnan province by a community effort which required digging out the elephant which thankfully ran straight back into the forest to find its herd.

Helicopter team rescued a dog from the California River

A dog was winched to safely he was seen floating down the river after the storm on Friday night. The dog is in good health. The seven year old pup was not micro chipped. The dog is now on the road to recovery and is getting better. The dog was shaken. A witness said he thought the dog was a Labrador cross and said he saw the water swept the dog down the river for about a mile beside the Burbank border in California.

Dog dumped at railway station find a new owner

Kai the dog was left at a railway station with a suitcase containing a bowl of food, a toy and a pillow. He was tied to a railing the owner was planning on selling on the internet but then he didn’t. When people heard about him every one wanted him even people from New York and the Philippines were offering to take him. The Scottish SPCA which rescued him chose Ian Russell to be the dog’s new best friend. Ian Russell is 52 and he is from Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire. He said getting Kai was like winning the lottery. Ian is a self-employed hydraulic engineer he said he was very shocked that he had been chose and he was over the moon. Ian’s pet Dalmatian mica died just before Christmas leaving him lonely and heartbroken. He had Mica for 15 years. Ian said when he heard about Kai he knew the little guy needed a break but never thought in a million years he would get him. Scottish SPCA said that Kai will have a new life and they were really happy for him. Ian travels a lot all over Scotland and he said he will take Kai with him and he can run free when he is working.

Baby orang-utan was rescued and now recovering well

A baby orang-utan in Indonesia who was rescued after being kept in poor conditions is now recovering very well. Budi the orangutan was rescued at the end of December and has been recovering very well since at an animal centre. Budi’s carers say that he is recovering well and he is learning to drink on his own.

Greg Rutherford Carries Injured Deer Home

The long jump record holder came across the injured deer when he was out walking his dogs near his home in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The Olympian posted on twitter just carried an injured deer two miles home now awaiting the RSPCA to come and help the little fella. The poor thing has broken its leg. The RSPCA said the deer would likely have to be put done because of his broken leg so the Olympian decided to contact another local animal hospital. The deer’s name was Doris and the Olympian was hopeful he could help her. WHAT ANIMALS DO FOR OUR HEALTH?

Animals can do many things for us. They can be very helpful people who are blind sick lonely our just simply need a friend. They protect peoples’ homes and they get things for them. People who are blind need help. Dogs help blind people to know where they are going they also do many more things. Guide dogs

Guide dogs help lots of people across the UK so that they can go places and know where they are going. Although the dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are partially colour blind. The average working life of a guide dog is five to six years. There are nearly 4,800 guide dog owners in the UK. The guide dog association are currently responsible for around 8,000 dogs. They breed more than 1,300 guide dog pups each year. It costs 5 pounds to support each working guide dog partnership. The life time cost of a guide dog is around 50,000

5 ways pets can improve your health

1. It only takes a few minutes with a dog or cat or watching fish swim to feel less anxious and less stressed. Your body actually goes through physical changes in that time that make a difference in your mood. Reducing stress is very good for your health!

2. Having a pet can help you manage your blood pressure. In one study, pet owners had lower blood pressure and lower heart rates during rest than people who did not own a pet. That held true whether they were at rest or undergoing stress tests. Petting your dog, cat or any pet can also lower your blood pressure.

3. No one loves you more unconditionally than your pet. And a pet will listen to you talk for as long as you want. A pet therefore helps people who are suffering from depression as it takes you out of yourself and helps you feel better about the way you spend your time.

4. People who own dogs tend to be more physically active and less obese than people who don't. Taking your dog for a daily 30-minute walk will keep you moving and ensure that you meet the minimum recommendations for healthy physical activity. Two 15-minute walks, one in the morning and one in the evening, will do the same thing. And after that, just playing fetch in the back yard with your dog will earn you healthful dividends.

5. Researchers have found that when children grow up in a home with a dog or cat they are less likely to develop allergies. The same is true for kids who live on a farm with large animals. In addition, children with pets have higher levels of certain immune system chemicals and therefore have a stronger immune system. This will help keep them healthy as they get older.