To the Editor:

Following the recent case of animal abuse which culminated with a dog being found in a ditch with its legs tied together with Christmas garland, I have spoken with many people who have expressed their disgust that such events occur.

During the discussions that have followed it has become apparent that the problem of animal abuse is not prosecuted with any vigor by either law enforcement or the judiciary.

This problem is a sad indictment of society (you often hear it said that the abuse of animals leads on to anti-social behavior across the board), further the crime of animal abuse is not only a stain upon humanity but it costs everyone both economically and as a social stain/malaise.

When an animal is found to be subject to abuse an animal control officer is involved (tax dollar), when that leads to a prosecution law enforcement officers are involved (tax dollar), the humane societies are involved (tax and charity dollar), then the animal needs to be housed and nursed by the humane societies (tax and charity dollar), the outcome is a sizable cost to the tax payer and those that make charitable contributions to the entities involved, and then the judicial system often gives a nominal fine of $25 not being uncommon and no retribution of the costs incurred.

I and people I have spoken with call upon law enforcement to arrest the perpetrators of these heinous crimes using the laws available, for the district attorneys to prosecute the law, and for the courts to recognize that if defendants are found guilty of such crimes that they are made an example of and handed down the full force of the law which includes unto a $1,000 dollar fine for a misdemeanor plus jail time or $5,000 for a felony plus jail time.

In both instances that the costs involved by all parties be part of the sentence (which is allowed for within the law and some judges in NY state do execute) then perhaps the perpetrators would realize that such behavior is socially unacceptable.

The stoic work of those involved in the protection of animals and the programs available from the humane societies mean these crimes can be eradicated.

I call upon all citizens to support the animal control officers, and humane societies to remove the stain of animal abuse from society and request the district attorneys office to prosecute with the full force of the law and the judiciary to hand down appropriate sentences which might act as a deterrent and an actual punishment.

Lets no longer have such offenders offering a finger to the court in which they find themselves.

Chris Smith

Brasher Falls