Magnum’s suffering due a legislative response

The packed hearing room and emotional testimony Thursday at the Capitol. The 73,000-plus signatures on petitions after last summer’s torture and death of the puppy Magnum. The public outcry in the pages of The Eagle and in media across the state. As our editorial today notes, all indications are that Kansans are ready to make the worst kind of animal cruelty a felony punishable by jail time and sizable fines. That’s appropriate, as Kansas is one of only nine states that treats animal abuse as a misdemeanor. As lawmakers seek the right balance among proposed bills, they also should be mindful of what cracking down on animal abusers will cost in prison beds and more. Like all “lock ‘em up” legislation, a felony animal abuse law will be easy to pass, harder to pay for.
Posted by Rhonda Holman

8 Comments

  1. writerdog
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 10:11 am | Permalink

    We often end up in a discussion about porn being a common thread among serial killers, but this is one common thread that is without a doubt true. And has more to being inline with those that kill humans for the thrill. Anyone who does such cruelty to an animal it is a warning sign that some time they will jump species. The public need to pay attention to these actions and respond to them. It may just save a human victim down the road!

  2. Damoon
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 3:09 pm | Permalink

    Animal abuse is one of the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder, which also is the diagnosis of most murderers, sexual predators, and other criminals who victimize. Unfortunatly, antisocials rarely respond to therapy. The only way to keep many of them from harming society is to lock them up.

  3. Rage
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 3:20 pm | Permalink

    I like dogs, and don’t see much harm in protecting them.

    I suspect the lack of responses indicate a lack of controversy. . .

  4. Tara
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 3:37 pm | Permalink

    I expected comments comparing animal abuse to abortion, since many letters to the editor reflected that after this story came out.

    Not only do we need hefty fines and jail time for animal cruelty, but lots and lots psychiatric help. I remember reading about Magnum and thinking, “How sick”.

  5. Damoon
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 5:15 pm | Permalink

    I agree, Tara. Any being (human or not) that is capable of feeling pain should be protected from being victimized in this way.

  6. Mr. Turner
    Posted February 4, 2006 at 9:03 pm | Permalink

    These creatures whom rely on us, and become in my opinion family deserve legal protection. Some in my neighborhood might call me the guy with all the cats, you see I feed all the strays in the area, I can’t see hurting them its just not right.

  7. Damoon
    Posted February 6, 2006 at 9:09 am | Permalink

    I wish there were more people in the world like you, Mr T. It would be a better place.

  8. Peaches
    Posted February 7, 2006 at 3:34 pm | Permalink

    The people of the city of Wichita and surrounding communities signed thousands of names to petitions for a bill to protect animals from cruelty. The bill 408 would be a great start for preventing cruelty to animals.

    People who are cruel and intentionally harm or hurt an animal are only on a path to committing worse crimes against living beings. Soon the harm they inflict will be to other helpless beings like children and the elderly then the challenge for that will be gone and they will commit more crimes and very possibly murders.

    STOP THEM NOW! I support Bill 408 and you should too the people have cried out by the thousands!Please do not ignore our cries for stricter laws on animal cruelty!