Animal abuse must never gain tolerance

The deliberate blinding of a terrier dog in Waterford city last week has to act as a wake-up call for society to face the reality of animal abuse in its midst.

Respect for animals is respect for human beings. Hurting animals hurts human beings.

When social scientists study violent criminals including serial killers a pattern emerges.

Before killing or assaulting human beings these criminals victimised animals. People who are violent towards animals rarely stop there.

Animal abuse should not be tolerated, defended or allowed to be promoted by those who have lost all connection with a conscience.

As a society, we must accept that those who are cruel to animals are only a step away from being cruel to humans.

Society needs to accept that animal abuse is an attack on the standards of respect for life, compassion and assistance to those sharing our planet space.

John Tierney

Chairperson,

Waterford Animal Concern