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Animal Abuse
Animal Abuse
About 1.5 million animals are euthanized in U.S. shelters each year. There are many ways animals are abused. Either from being in zoos, for entertainment, being hoarded, or improper care.
Animal Entertainment
Animal Entertainment
Dog Fighting
Dog Fighting
The first way animals are abused is from animal entertainment. Dog fighting is popular in America, but it is illegal in all 50 states. People place bets for dog fighting, so they can get money, and so they can watch dogs fight. (aspca.org) “Fights can happen in a variety of locations ranging from back alleys to carefully-staged enterprises.” These animals are raised in isolation, with short, heavy chains, and tight collars. Dogs are not allowed to socialize with other dogs. If they socialize, they might start fighting, or get attacked. That’s why they are chained down.
Before these fights, dogs are given drugs such as steroids to enhance their aggressiveness. When these dogs fight, it can last a few minutes or several hours. During the fight, dogs have their tail and ears close to their body to minimize easy areas to grab. This is called ‘docking’. Fights take place in 14-20 foot pits. The dogs that are too weak are killed in fights. Once fights are over, some dogs are discarded, or brutally executed. About 16,000 dogs are killed in dog fights.
(Above) Dogs sit in the hot sun on the dirt all day. (Below) Even puppies have to fight.
Tigers try to communicate with people. They think that they have a way to escape.
When people ride on whales like this, it makes the whale stressed out. It also hurts their back to be holding somebody up for so long.
Orcas live for 90 years, but die within 4 years when they are in captivity.
Zoos
Zoos
The second way animals are abused is being imprisoned in zoos. Animals in zoos are raised in captivity. Their homes in the zoo is not like their homes in the wild. Animals in the wild do not have bars or glass that they have to stay in. In zoos, animals are in ‘animal jail’ against their will. According to PETA, “Zoochosis is so rampant that some zoos even administer antidepressants and antipsychotics to try to curb the abnormal behavior.”
Their cages do not get cleaned very often, and they do not catch their own food. Animals need to be able to catch their own food. It is instinct for animals if they are put out in the wild, and if animals don’t have this important instinct, they could die.
Animals in cages can go insane. Some animals try to escape, but some fail, and some succeed. They will try to break glass or climb over bars. Animals might go off when they escape and kill people. But, it’s not their fault, it’s the zookeeper’s faults. Animals shouldn’t be kept in captivity, unless if its a house pet. Some animals commit suicide from loneliness or sadness.
SeaWorld's Killer Whales
SeaWorld's Killer Whales
There was a story about a killer whale named Shamu. Shamu was a killer whale who was famous for being a captive killer whale in SeaWorld. In October 1965, Shamu the whale was caught and was sold to SeaWorld. She was the fourth whale to be caught and the second female. After only 6 years of performance, she died in 1971, where many other killer whales took her place. The name ‘Shamu’ was given to many other whales in SeaWorld.
One of the ‘Shamu’ whales named Tilikum, attacked an employee in 2010. The employee’s name was Dawn Brancheau, who had many years of experience with killer whales. Dawn was grabbed by the whale by her waist, and was shaken vigorously. She was then pulled underwater by Tilikum, and killed.
Animal Hoarding
Animal Hoarding
The third way animals are abused is being hoarded. If you have 3-4 cats, or 2 dogs, or maybe even some farm animals, that’s okay. But if you have more than 6 or 7 animals that you are taking care of, that’s considered hoarding. About 250,000 animals are hoarded every year. People who obsess over keeping pets hoard them. It’s very bad for them, and, mostly the animals. The windows, furniture, and carpet, all get destroyed from the animals. That is because nobody cleans up the house for a good living environment. Animals will go hungry or thirsty. Some animals get hurt from broken glass from the windows. (aspca.org) “Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.”
The animals are dirty, emaciated and lethargic. Some of the animals will try to run away, but they get hurt. Animals don’t like to be hoarded. Some animals get stressed out from too many animals around them. And besides, it’s bad for your health to try and take care of more animals than you can afford. Animal hoarding can be caused by mental illnesses, or from a traumatic event that happened. It can make you even more stressed. It would smell like feces, ammonia, and vomit. (aspca.org) “They may appear to be sensible people, persuasively conveying their love for animals and readiness to take those who are sick and with special needs.”
Improper Care
Improper Care
And last, but not least, the last way animals are abused is improper care. Farm animals get beaten to death for food. These farm animals include chickens, pigs, and cows. It could make it so the meat is not good anymore. One thing that is illegal is killing animals for sport or trophy. This is called poaching. People continuously kill animals for their fur, paws, claws, or horns. About 100 million animals are killed each year from hunters.
People beat animals for doing something wrong. Even if animals don’t know what they are doing wrong. Some people throw animals on the streets because they don’t know what to do with them, or if they just don’t want them anymore. Animals kept in cages are in a jail - like space where they are not free. These animals lack their daily exercise that they need to stay healthy. A lot of animals are forced to be beaten and starved by people who don’t care about them anymore. They don’t have proper food or water for a healthy life. They are also strangled by short, tight collars, ropes or chains. Animals are also relentlessly bored from nothing to do. Most animals don’t even get taken to the vet for their regular check-ups.
Rhinos, elephants and cheetahs are only a few examples of poached animals.
These are the percentages of abused animals as of May 2013. These numbers have only gone up.
Conclusion
Conclusion
In conclusion, animals are abused from improper care, being thrown in zoos, being hoarded, and from animal entertainment. Animals are forced to fight and entertain, and they have no choice but to be forced to take illegal drugs to fight. Hoarded animals live in dirty houses. Animals are also imprisoned in zoos. Some animals even go without their normal check-ups. Remember, animals are pets, not toys. What can you do to help these animals in need?
These are the numbers of animals that are used in research facilities (2016).
Glossary:
Glossary:
- Antidepressants: A drug used to alleviate depression.
- Antipsychotics: A drug used to treat psychotic behavior.
- Docking: The action of an animal lowering its ears and tucking in its tail to be safe, and/or because it is scared.
- Poaching: When a person hunts animals for their horns, fur, or claws.
- Zoochosis: When an animals starts to go insane from lack of space and care.
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