I just completed the NorthCountryNow.com Survey and posted a comment about a man beating an 8-week-old puppy to death for defecating on the floor. I think that animal abuse laws and penalties need to be a lot stiffer. Too often I read stories of animal abuse. I wonder if the perpetrators are just getting a slap on the wrist? If the laws are not enforced or are too weak and the consequences little what does that say about our society? We are giving people the impression that this type of behavior is ok. We are saying that the lives of these living, breathing, loving animals are not worth that much and they are disposable. I also believe that if someone is capable of beating an innocent puppy to death that they clearly must have emotional problems. Someone that disturbed should be punished and have to undergo psychological testing. Someone like that may totally lack empathy and self control and could pose a threat to the rest of society.