if you can find the time...in honor of Elsa, the filly starved to death

[magical thyme]

On February 6, the Utah chapter of the HSUS is holding an upcoming lobby day in Salt Lake City, UT to try to get the laws changed. If you are from Utah, please attend if you can.

And it seems to me that if Utah government heard from people from around the world, it might help the local people to get their attention. So if you can find a moment and find it in your heart, please write to them and explain why they need stronger animal cruelty laws.

Governor's Office
350 State Capitol Building, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, UT, 84114
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gary-R-Herbert/211722425515547
https://twitter.com/governorherbert


A quick synopsis: on January 2, Elsa and her mother Anna were found starving to death in a paddock. The owner says he didn't have money to feed them. So he left them to starve. He has been charged with 2 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

As an adult, Anna had more reserves on her body so was still on her feet and able to walk when found, and she is well on the way to recovery. But her 18 month old foal, Elsa, was to weak to get back to her feet and was found frozen to the ground. After a valiant , 24x7, 15 day fight to save Elsa, she suddenly went down hill and died yesterday at 4:30pm central time. At the very least, imo this man should face 2 charges of cruelty for every, single day that he did not feed, water and shelter this mare and her foal.

From the HSUS:

I am Utah's state director for The Humane Society of the United States. This situation, like so many that are brought to my attention, absolutely break my heart!!! We are in a position to change things, but it's going to take ACTION from all of us! Please join me February 6th, at the state capital to talk with our legislators about passing animal friendly legislation in our state. We are their voice! Without getting laws passed, we can't prevent these type of cruel acts from happening. To get involved and find out what you can do, please like us on Facebook at HSUS Utah. And here is the link for the upcoming lobby day for anyone interested in attending, you must sign up.
https://www.facebook.com/events/767857463240990/

[Suziq]

1. . . .

This just breaks my heart.

[SamKnause]

2. Elsa

[UtahLib]

3. Thank you. We need help from animal lovers everywhere.

We've been fighting the battle for the rights of animals in Utah for a very long time. While making some progress where pets are concerned, it has been much more difficult when dealing with farmers and ranchers.

[BrotherIvan]

4. So so sad

Are there resources to help rescue animals or give them temporary food and shelter if someone can't afford to feed them? I always make a point of donating to rescues during disasters as the work they do is tremendous. And it helps people too, because pets are part of the family and losing them is heartbreaking. So sad to hear about that lovely little Elsa. Her pictures made me cry.

[magical thyme]

7. Yes, there are resources...the sanctuary that took them in, for example

Many of the larger sanctuaries have outreach programs. They can and will assist on site if their facility is full-up. Some states (mine, for example) have outreach programs. They can and will provide hay if you call them and attempt to get help.

He apparently made no attempt to get help. None. They need to change their laws to make it clear that if you let (false) pride stop you from asking for help for your defenseless dependents, your pride and wallet will take a bigger hit when you are in jail, lose all right to have animals again and face penalties to pay for the care and rehabilitation of your victims, whether they survive or not.

[BrotherIvan]

8. Absolutely agree there needs to be very strict penalties

I believe it is some old agrarian thinking that allows people to feel that animals don't suffer or can be abused with impunity. They either don't know there are others out there who would gladly take them in or help care for them. I think many others don't want their animals taken from them.

I recently watched a very good documentary about exotic animals being kept as pets. People buying baby mountain lions or large, venomous snakes that get loose and have to be shot. There was one redneck in Georgia that had lions in a trailer!! The game warden kept trying to convince him to give them to a sanctuary, but the guy was so selfish, he didn't "because he loved them." When the gorgeous male was electrocuted by accident, he finally let a sanctuary pick them up, but some were so sick they didn't make it. It was so heartbreaking. And so selfish. People suck so much sometimes.

Thanks for the info.

[one_voice]

5. .

This story broke my heart.

We need stiffer laws and sentences for animal abusers.

I think there should be a list, if you're ever convicted of animal abuse you can NEVER have another pet. Not so much as a goldfish. I hate anyone that hurts a defenseless animal.

[raven mad]

6. There's no excuse for this.

WHY do so many western states (mine included) refuse to see animal cruelty as totally different from farming for food animals/mushing for necessity/horses as pack animals etc.? Cruelty to animals is almost identical to cruelty toward humans who are physically/mentally weakened by genetics or disease. It's CRUELTY:

Synonyms: atrociousness, atrocity, barbarity, barbarousness, brutality, cruelness, fiendishness, heartlessness, inhumanity, inhumanness, sadism, savageness, savagery, truculence, viciousness, wantonness

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruelty

Cruelty is a DELIBERATE act.