HOW SERIOUS IS SERIOUS ENOUGH?

Just because you hit your dog and you think I didn’t see you… doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

Unfortunately, I fear this is something we’ve all witnessed in one circumstance or another. Either with a neighbor, down the street from your house, in the local park or dog park, or sadly, within your own circle of friends or family.

Animal abuse.

While animal abuse can take many shapes, forms and behaviors, most of which we can absolutely not influence in the slightest… public abuse is one from which we should never shy away. We can’t always know how an owner treats their dog at home, but if you happen to be in a situation where you witness an owner clearly abusing an animal… what would you do?

If you do see someone beat their dog, I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be someone you’re going to want to approach and instigate an altercation. If they’ll hit a poor, defenseless animal, I doubt they’d have any problem giving you a quick pop in the face… that being said, as good citizens we should never turn a blind eye to any criminal act, and hitting a dog is indeed a criminal act — be it with a hand, foot or… well, a stick.

Just as you hopefully wouldn’t walk away after witnessing a hit and run, or you wouldn’t be afraid to call the cops if you saw your neighbors in a fist fight… take note of the owner, the dog and any distinguishing physical descriptions, the location and time and wait until you are in a safe environment where you can anonymously call the authorities and report what you witnessed. Animal abuse is unfortunately low on the list of specific crimes to pursue… however, as with any potentially dangerous activity, even if it simply goes on the record, perhaps it could be information in case a more serious crime is perpetrated. Don’t be afraid to have a voice. Be afraid of not using your voice on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves.