Special to the Star-Herald
My dogs are very much enjoying the cooler weather. Even the older dogs are perkier and having fun in the fallen leaves. This is also hunting season, so keep your dogs close to home. If you venture out into the woods with your dogs, be sure they have some item on that is hunter orange, and I would suggest a bell or jingly dog tags. It is much better to be safe than sorry. Maine Proclamation – November is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month!
Gov. John E. Baldacci will be signing a proclamation declaring November 2009 to be Adopt a Shelter Pet Month here in Maine! There will be a ceremonial signing next Friday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. at the State House in Augusta. Shelter and rescue folk are welcome to attend. What does that mean for shelters? It means that our efforts in finding homes for the homeless pets is being recognized at the state government level. Stay tuned to see what special things the shelter will be doing to celebrate this event.
Did you know that the abuse of animals often indicated the abuse of people? Many women are afraid to leave their abuser for fear of what they will do to the family pet or have witnessed abuse against the pet making them fearful that the same may happen to them.
The following statistics come from www.AmericanHumane.org:
• 71 percent of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32 percent reported their children had hurt or killed animals.
• 68 percent of battered women reported violence toward their animals. Eighty-seven percent of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75 percent in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them.
• 13 percent of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.
• Between 25 percent and 40 percent of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave. Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home.
• Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet, or to take out their aggressions on another victim.
• In one study, 70 percent of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused saw the animal cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability.
• Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.
• For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support: 98 percent of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family.
• Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk.
Why am I sharing these horrifying facts with you? Because we must be the eyes and ears, not just for the animals, but for the people. By reporting the abuse of animals you may be saving the life of that animal or a person living within that home. Animal abuse should not be taken lightly. When we speak of domestic violence, we need to remember to include the animals, too. They are also helpless victims who need a voice.
My animals are my family. I cannot imagine witnessing anyone abusing my animals, nor can I imagine witnessing the abuse of any animal and doing nothing. If you suspect or witness the abuse of an animal, please contact your animal control agent, police department or the State Department of Animal Welfare by calling 207-287-3846.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Our hours of operation are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
