Editorial Dec. 29 |
Horse Review Editorial Not In
Vain..
The person or persons who killed 34 estray horses one week ago mirrored an aspect of human life that we term "murder". When animals are killed senselessly, the humans refer to that as "slaughter". "Murder" is a word saved specifically in reference to humans. There is, in the strictest semantic sense, no potential to use terms such as "horse murder", "cat murder", or "dog murder". In my heart of hearts, I beg to differ. "Murder" is not only a word found in every dictionary, but is also a feeling located wherever inside the human body we store the most vile feelings we will ever need to produce in a lifetime. The feelings countless numbers of people have felt during this past week find absolutely no difference between "murder" of thirty-four humans or the thirty-four estray horses who graced this earth with their gentle, quiet presence. If the person/s had acted out their crimes upon humans instead of horses, we would be talking about a "serial killer". I have never heard the terms "serial horse killer", "serial cat killer", or "serial dog killer". However, there is a mountain of professional statistics to indicate that they, in fact, exist. The one cry from the masses touched by this incident is that we ensure that these horses did not die in vain. In order to accomplish that, we need to keep our wits about us and formulate a plan. This plan goes far and beyond finding the killer/s. That task is in the hands of the professionals. Our plan, the people’s plan, is to work together to change the laws…in Nevada and in any other state where the residents feel that the punishment does not fit the crimes against animals. The Horse Review has posted a very interesting chart from the American Humane Association. It shows what the maximum sentence is for animal crimes in every state. My personal opinion is, my friends, it is NOT enough…not nearly. These thirty-four horses have provided us with the opportunity to do something besides grieve. We can work and work hard to not let this loss be forgotten. We can work harder to change the laws against people who may be practicing their torture and murder on animals before they work their skills on human beings. The Horse Review is willing to provide pertinent information on its website to assist people to contact their legislators by mail, telephone, and e-mail. WE, the People, can openly express our opinions about strengthening the punishment for these sorts of crimes. Every person who feels outraged at an animal crime such as this can do their part to exert pressure to see that these changes are made. Is a horse that lives in the desert in the wild more expendable and less important in this life than if it were Secretariat? If that is true then the same could be said about people. I don’t believe it. I have had people say to me, "I heard about the horses in Reno…it’s just so sad I don’t want to read or hear about it". It is sad but ignorance of the facts will not help to change the law. Ignorance will not serve the memory of these noble animals. The Horse Review is offering an open invitation to all of it’s readers to work with us to make absolutely certain that these horses did not die in vain. Unfortunately, many crimes are repetitive, but if we change the penalties perhaps we can make a difference for other animals before they are victimized. Thirty-four horses needed help one week ago and we couldn’t stop the murder. Maybe we can prevent the next. A Study of US Cruelty Statutes |