“ ‘A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel’ (Proverbs 12:10).
Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals or leaving them to suffer from neglect. He who created man made the lower animals also, and ‘His tender mercies are over all His works’ (Psalm 145:9). The animals were created to serve man, but he has no right to cause them pain by harsh treatment or cruel exaction.
“It is because of man’s sin that ‘the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together’ (Romans 8:22). Suffering and death were thus entailed, not only upon the human race, but upon the animals. Surely, then, it becomes man to seek to lighten, instead of increasing, the weight of suffering which his transgression has brought upon God’s creatures. He who will abuse animals because he has them in his power is both a coward and a tyrant. A disposition to cause pain, whether to our fellow men or to the brute creation, is satanic. Many do not realize that their cruelty will ever be known, because the poor dumb animals cannot reveal it. But could the eyes of these men be opened … they would see an angel of God standing as a witness, to testify against them in the courts above. A record goes up to heaven, and a day is coming when judgment will be pronounced against those who abuse God’s creatures.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 443.
A Roswell, New Mexico, man is being accused of extreme cruelty to animals after his puppy was injured so badly that it had to be put down. Roswell police say [a] 27-year-old [man] allegedly beat the dog during an argument with his girlfriend Sunday, December 22, 2013. They say the puppy’s injuries were so severe that it had to be euthanized. www.thenewmexicochannel.com
Louisville [Kentucky] Metro Animal Services is investigating what they described as one of the worst animal abuse cases they have ever seen as another organization offers a reward for answers. Monday morning, December 30, 2013, a repair worker found a mutilated dog behind the Valero gas station. Whoever was responsible had removed multiple body parts and the dog was dead when officers arrived. “This is, by far, one of the worst cases we’ve ever had to deal with,” said a senior manager with Louisville Metro Animal Services. “The extent of the injuries and the type of injuries this animal sustained was absolutely gruesome. www.wave3.com
Animals destined for the pet trade are yanked from their homes in places such as Australia, Africa, and Brazil and are subjected to grueling transport. Parrots may have their beaks and feet taped and be stuffed into plastic tubes that can easily be hidden in luggage, and stolen bird and reptile eggs are concealed in special vests so that couriers can bypass X-ray machines at airports. Baby turtles have been trapped inside their shells with tape and shoved by the dozen into tube socks, and infant pythons have been shipped in CD cases. Many die before reaching their destinations. www.peta.org