finally

[kandrathe]

What is your concern about realizing animals have feelings, emotions and can feel pain, and for that reason try, within reason, not to hurt them without reason?

For example,<blockquote>"My neighbor leaves his dog outside when it's freezing without a dog house or other shelter. Is this animal cruelty?"</blockquote>One person's bleeding heart may not be akin to another's concept of cruelty. Is that dog a Malamute, or Alaskan Huskie? Is dog sledding cruel? How about Skijoring? The dogs seem to be having a blast. What do we mean by "freezing"? 0C or -30C? Most dogs have fur coats for a reason.

Where I live, the law is; <blockquote>"These Minnesota statute comprise the anti-cruelty laws in the state. This section first allows the formation of private prevention of cruelty to animals societies and humane societies and sets forth their obligations by law. "Animal" is defined by this section as every living creature except members of the human race. No person shall overdrive, overload, torture, cruelly beat, neglect, or unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate, or kill any animal, or cruelly work any animal when it is unfit for labor. Under the neglect component, the statute states that no person shall deprive any animal over which the person has charge or control of necessary food, water, or shelter, among other things. A person who intentionally violates these provisions where the violation results in substantial bodily harm to a pet or companion animal may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both, with previous convictions resulting in enhanced penalties. A person who intentionally causes death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.Minnesota has a unique provision that provides that a person who intentionally causes in death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act is done to threaten, intimidate, or terrorize another person, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than four years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. Animal fighting is also prohibited under this section; engaging in or conducting a fight results in a felony, and attending such fight a misdemeanor. This section also prohibits the docking of horses tails, dying of baby chicks, cruel transportation of animals, as well as greased pig contests and turkey scrambles."</blockquote><!--fontc--><!--/fontc-->"Animal" is every living creature outside of the human race! Wow. No stepping on ants now. My sons pet goldfish died, but I swear it was accidental (or the cat maybe had sushi). Can I euthanize my dog? Can the vet? Who is checking on this stuff? My neighbor's dog hasn't been around lately, should I report them for suspected dog murder?