Editor, Times-Union: Have you ever thought you saw an abused animal? Well, unfortunately, many people have, and it is terrible! Can you remember any time when you saw a pet dumped on the side of the road with nobody around? Well I can, and it made me very sad.We need to stop abusing animals. First, it’s wrong to abuse animals because they get physically hurt. Many people beat their animals so badly that the animal can’t be handled and has to be put down. Other people starve their animal! Last, some animals get severe wounds that can lead to amputations! Second, abusing animals sets a bad example for children. If you abuse your animal and your kids see you, they might think it’s OK to hurt someone or something. You are displaying that it’s OK to take your anger out on an animal when it’s really not! Your kids will think that they can be just like you and hit or kick their dog, cat or even siblings! Last but not least, the Bible tells us not to abuse animals. Proverbs 12:10 says, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” This tells us that as God’s children, we should care for our animals. Deuteronomy 25:4 says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out grain.” In other words, if your animal is doing something good for you, don’t abuse them! So if you see an abused animal or someone abusing an animal, will you take action and save lives? Or will you let them be beaten, starved, and wounded? Will you let kids get a bad influence, and will you walk away from someone who is disobeying God by abusing their animal? I hope not because I know I wouldn’t. Hannah Starrett Warsaw Christian School
