Please sign and share this petition worldwide as we continue our efforts in stopping animal abuse and cruelty. Let’s work to encourage the state legislation to increase penalties for animal cruelty and ask for re-introduction, passage and enforcement of a bill proposed back in January of 2013. Currently, the laws governing animal neglect, cruelty and abuse in South Carolina are very lax, resulting in horrific criminal acts against these defenseless beings.
There is nothing sweeter and more heartwarming than looking into the big eyes of a darling puppy although to some, those big eyes look like dollar signs. South Carolina has limited animal protection laws, including laws against puppy mills. Animals are treated like property and the laws seem to state that as long as your cat or dog is fed, you are not technically required to take the animal out of its cage. Puppy mills and back yard breeding is thriving in the state without repercussions because of their failing animal protection laws. Enforcing these weak laws and getting a conviction is even more difficult.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, backyard breeding and puppy mills are strictly for monetary gain without any regard to the animals. The animal cruelty investigator stated that many of the dogs that produce these puppies are bred repeatedly for their entire lives or until they are no longer needed. “They either put them in the garbage or bury them. Or they leave them in a cage and don't feed them and they die.” And no one is protecting them. Additionally, “They're basically just used for breeding and used solely for profit,” said Denise Wilkinson, CEO of Pawmetto Lifeline.
Many of these dogs only know one life; the life of confinement in a cage, doing everything there from eating, sleeping and relieving itself. The poor dog doesn’t even know what it is like to be loved. “I think in South Carolina, we've had an attitude for a long time that these animals are property,” Wilkinson said. “I'll do whatever I want with my dog, but abusing an animal is against the law. And at some point this becomes abuse.” The bill of 2013 was introduced for stronger animal rights laws in the State House, but the abuse continues and this bill is not enforced with increased animal cruelty charges. Currently, there are virtually no penalties at all.
Help us in our efforts to urge stricter animal cruelty laws by signing and sharing this petition worldwide as proposed by Representative Bill Taylor in the bill of 2013. Other surrounding states have slightly better laws in place to prevent animal abuse and cruelty. Let’s be a voice for these defenseless animals and get these laws changed and enforced!
State House and S. C. State Legislators – You need to implement re-introduction, passage and enforcement of the bill as proposed in January of 2013 by Representative Bill Taylor. Laws need to be taken seriously against animal abuse, neglect and cruelty, with harsher punishments than a misdemeanor!! Animals are not mere property; objects. They are sweet, living beings that love unconditionally and deserve to be loved. Protect them legally and stop the abuse, starting with but not ending with backyard breeding and puppy mills. Until penalties are harsher, the abuse will not stop! Be a voice for those without a voice and give them the animal protection they deserve!!
