There is a simple reason why we occasionally see animal advocates reacting in an extreme way to animal abuse. Some might say that they never overreact because animal abuse needs a strong reaction. It needs to be decried loudly and passionately. But when they make death threats against veterinary staff this, in my view, is an overreaction. However, I don’t feel inclined to criticise animal advocates who do this. I understand their anger and revulsion. And importantly, their frustration.
More often than not animal abuse goes unpunished or the punishment is inadequate. Here lies the problem. The internet, social media in particular, provides us with constant updates on animal abuse stories. We are bombarded with it and we know how prevalent it is in the world.
As a consequence we know how often we are left frustrated at a lack of enforcement of animal welfare laws or how the perpetrators get away with it for various reasons one of which is a lack of evidence.
This frustration spills over to anger and the primary way people can express this anger is to verbalise it on social media and other websites. And it is easy to verbalise anger at a distance, on a website, when you are not face to face with the person you are criticising.
This is what happened with the recent story of the cat ‘Kitkat’ whose last moments were passed at Lazy 5 Vets in NC, USA. There was no need, on the face of it and on the basis of the cat owner’s story, for Kitkat to die at this hospital and for his head to be chopped off for rabies testing. It is alleged that a careless or callous mistake was made.
Animal advocates see an injustice. They are preparing for another injustice. They have experienced injustices concerning animal abuse in the past. They see it happening again and consequently become very vocal in their criticism of the veterinary hospital staff.
Death threats cannot be condoned but understood for the reasons stated. However, they are possibly criminal acts in a minor way. They don’t further the cause of animal advocates. In fact overreactions can lead to criticisms from cat haters and sport hunters and the like. They look for a reason to criticise cat lovers. Often cat lovers are also animal advocates.
I agree. Death threats make animal advocates look like crazy people and totally defeat the cause they are trying to promote and no one will take it seriously after that. It is much easier to sit behind a computer and type than it is to organize and participate in a legal and peaceful demonstration in front of the facility or gather signatures on a petition for tougher laws on abuse and tighter scrutiny and punishment for abusive vets and their staff. That all takes time and effort and not being hidden behind a screen. But that is what is needed for advocates to be taken seriously as an intelligent, rational group. It is an emotional issue for advocates but acting like vigilantes will just get ridicule and yes possible legal action. This is exactly what happened to Christian Fundamentalists who bombed abortion clinics.
Regardless of how cold and callous the staff is at the Lazy 5 clinic, or any other clinic for that matter, their behavior does not justify anyone making death threats. Nothing will be solved or settled that way. Nothing can undo what was done. The only way to get any sort of justice is through legal proceedings.
But my heart goes out to all of the pet guardians who suffer the loss of their pets.
Nicely said Cat’s Meow. Agreed of course.
Many of us who feel compassion for animals have extremely deep feelings, and I would say not just for animals but for injustice overall. The crucial factor is that animals are innocent souls. I cannot bear to see them suffer. In my opinion injustice to an innocent soul is the highest form of cruelty.
Agreed. I also agree with Michael’s message here.
Thanks Albert. It is a difficult message for me because I have the utmost respect for animal advocates. But overdoing it can be counterproductive.