Strict laws for animal cruelty and neglect: Equal rights for animals

Animals are living breathing beings, just like us.  They feel pain and agony: they suffer just like a child would.  Why should the law be any less for animals then they are for people.  Dog fighting, neglect, torture, etc.   the person responsible should be held fully accountable with very harsh punishment. Lets put an end to animal cruelty.  An eye for an eye, we need to be taken seriously..My animals are like my children, and if someone harmed them, I would expect the same treatment for the person responsible as if they harmed a member of my family.