All Dogs Go To Heaven
I’ve always loved animals. I’d even go so far as to say that I have greater compassion for dogs and cats than I do for most people. Pets are like infants. But unlike (most) humans, even when they reach adulthood, they continue to be dependent on their “parents”.
Growing up in the country, we usually had 3 to 5 dogs at any given time. And I have wonderful memories from our adventures together. But one of the things I learned growing up around animals large and small, is that different people have drastically different ideas about what constitutes humane treatment.
For example, I knew a man that did not want his dog to sleep directly outside the back door. To correct this undesired behavior, the dog was kicked in the ribcage. You see, the dog should have known better than to lie in front of the door. And a kick to the ribcage is a fair punishment. Right? I mean, only a liberal crybaby like yours truly would describe that behavior as cruel or brutal.
I find that stories about animal cruelty are particularly horrible. Which is why I was horrified to read in the paper this week that a public works supervisor in Jourdanton, Texas ordered several of his employees to drown six stray dogs at the city sewer plant. To save money.
The workers took the dogs to the sewer plant, and simply dropped their cages into the water. And as much as I’d prefer not to think about it, I can imagine the dogs thrashing around terrified, unable to breathe or to understand what was happening.
Adding insult to injury, the Jourdanton City Manager dealt with the supervisor and workers by requiring that they attend classes with animal control. And that appeared to be the end of it, until angry local citizens demanded a town hall meeting to discuss the “disciplinary action” taken by the City Manager.
You’ll have to forgive me for recommending that their punishment include a cage and the sewer plant. After all, they were only animals. I mean, we eat animals, don’t we? I don’t think too many pigs are making it to the Golden Pork retirement home. But I don’t care. Drowning dogs in cages is a crime against decency.
