I've never been able to understand this one, why people would want to own an animal if they're going to mistreat them.

It depends on the pet. Cujo for instance...

I will personally punish the person who hurts his pet. It unacceptable, vicious, and heartless.

This doesn't just annoy me, it enrages me. I volunteered at the Humane Society for many summers and it was so horribly upsetting to see what a lot of these poor animals had to go through. It broke my heart.

I'm an animal magnet, especially for the mistreated pets. I could think of far worse punishment than a $500 fine and 6 months in jail, but that's just me...

extremely upsetting. how can "people"{and I use that term loosely}do this to an animal that depends on them? why get them if you do not intend to take care of them?I think they deserve to be punished to the max. Maybe they ought to have a taste of their own medicine, an eye for an eye. tie them out back and do not feed them. of but noooooooo we cannot do that can we. that would be mean. scum bags.

If you don't like 'em, don't get 'em. Sounds like common sense, you'd think, but that doesn't seem to be the case when you see how many people treat their animals with such hatred. They're not toys. They're not objects. They're not impulse buys. They're not ornaments. If you want a pet that you can ignore, get a virtual pet. Pets grow up. They're not going to stay as puppies or kittens their whole life. Those cute little baby rabbits can grow really big and they have a good life span. That tiny little goldfish can grow up to twelve inches long (I know, mine are!), 24 if it's a koi. Those little iguanas start off small, sure, but they get HUGE! Taking in a dozen or so stray cats into your one-bedroom apartment, while I know you mean well, you're not doing them any favors! Then there are those people who outwardly mistreat their animals, shooting them with BB guns, locking them in their cars at the mall (who the hell needs to bring their dog with them when they go shopping, anyway?), making them fight with each other . . . these people need a beating, in a big way.

this is a major pet peeve of mine. i will not breed my animals because (1)our shelters are already overflowing with unwanted animals and (2)because i can not guarantee that every puppy or kitten would have a good home for life. i would become so attached to everyone of them and would keep them all. i detest those that get puppies or kittens cuz they are cute but when that wears off then they get rid of them. i also hate seeing dogs running around loose because owners are too lazy or negligent to make sure their pet is safe. i especially detest people that raise dogs for fighting especially those that have give pitbulls such a bad name. if there is a vicious pitbull be assured its because the owner raised it to be vicious. my 9yr old brindle pitbull was rescued as a puppy from a man who was abusing him to try to make him mean. he failed because in fact he was so abusing that Apocolypse Shortchop shakes and hides at the sound of raised voices.our cat rules the house the house and im sure our pits would be embarrassed to admit it. Shady is my 3yr red nose pit and i dont think he has a mean bone in his body. the only one that abuses him is the cat. she has never liked him since the day he came home at 6 weeks. mimi hatchetface the cat was saved from a grocery store parking lot after somebody must have dumped her there. she was a very scared 12 week old kitten that now is a very snobby demanding 9 year old cat. but she was lucky many are not. i am in favor of places like best friends pet sanctuary and wish their were more places like them. i have one more little story before i quit boring any one that takes the time to read me go on and on. when my son was younger his class had the assignment of coming up with an idea of a business to start and how they would make money, run it, etc... all the other kids picked the usual candystore etc...but my son chose to start an animal sanctuary that was a no kill site called its raining cats and dogs the building was in the shape of a doghouse and he would offer vet& grooming services to make money but not for profit but to just to keep his facility open

Yep this bugs me

Treat them like they treated the animal!

This should lead to heavy fines and even arrest and conviction,depending on the severity and on past offenses.People who abuse animals are cowards,and they often go on to abuse humans if given the chance.At bare minimum,they should have to get psychological help.

These are the types of people who are control freaks and need to lash out. Why have a pet if you're going to treat it that way? Bottom line is that animals are really defenseless. Truly shameless when you think about it.

Why the heck would a person OWN pets if they're going to be neglected or mistreated? People think they're so cute when they're little, and they are. However, a fair number of people focus so much on the cuteness of the critter that they don't think of the other responsibilities involved in owning a pet. As a result, when the animal grows older and doesn't seem as cute, they put off caring for it. Sad, isn't it?

Animal cruelty is wrong. Plain and simple.

Their disgusting.

These are usually the same slack-jawed morons who let their dog or cat have a litter so little Johnny or Susie can see the miracle of life without any regard to the already critical pet overpopulation. Or, they adopt a pet and when they get tired of it dump it in the country or otherwise dispose of it. Then the poor dog or cat is left confused and grieving over the sudden loss of their human family. Well, the list goes on and on unfortunately. I know I shouldnt even get started because it actually makes me feel physically ill. I just wish people could remember this when they think of bringing a pet into their home; its the same as any responsibility; dont accept it if you dont take it seriously. If you dont think of a pet as a lifelong commitment (10-15 years with dogs 15 to 20 with cats) do yourself and the animal a favor and buy the stuffed toy variety.

5 = A horrible thing to do, people who mistreat or neglect their pets are very self-centered. They seem to think that these animals are there only for their sick pleasure. Why they even get animals in the first place is beyond me. Most pets love their owners with an unconditional love, even though we may not always return the love equally they still love anyway. For people to abuse that love is wicked and should not go unpunished. People can and should learn a lot about love from animals.