NEWS that convicted animal abusers are getting off with lenient sentences (Echo, Aug 9) should worry people in the North.
Because repeat offences are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers – who often go on to harm humans – acts of cruelty to animals must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
This means ensuring that perpetrators are given the maximum punishment under the law, including prison time, counselling, and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.
Of course, prevention is better than prosecution, and we could make great progress towards this goal by requiring humane education in all schools, because children who learn to consider the feelings of other living beings stand a much better chance of growing into kind, benevolent adults.
Jennifer White, PETA UK
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