Animal abuse should require harsher punishment for offenders

 
 Two animal welfare reality shows that are currently airing on television are animal 24/7 which follows a branch of Britain's ASPCA on animal cruelty cases and animal cops which follows various States ASPCA animal cruelty calls, one has to wonder, why are there enough cases of animal abuse for these shows to still be on the air? Some of the animals are in such poor condition from neglect that they are literally skeletons with fur. How can people justify having an animal or animals and then literally and figuratively starve them to death? I clearly remember one episode of animal 24/7 where a whippet was seized by the ASPCA with a tumour the size of a softball on one of his hind legs. It was so big that even the vet was, as the British say, visibly gobsmacked at the site of it. The vet felt that the tumour had to have been growing on that poor dog's leg for quite a while to have grown so big. The owners clearly lacked any kind of compassion for their pet who had to lug around that huge growth. If you can't afford a pet why get one in the first place?  Another "breed" of pet owner who should be charged and prosecuted more than they are include those who make money with dog fighting, and puppy mills. Believe it or not puppy mills are legal in some places. Using dogs as a commodity isn't right and all should be declared illegal. Animal hoarders are guilty of animal abuse in my view whether intended or not and they need to be charged a fine for keeping animals in conditions that are usually horrid. Some hoarders have a mental illness and they should be forced to get counselling in order to cure it. Perhaps the most famous of illegal dog fighting rings was run by a Pro football player named Michael Vic. He did get charged and spent time in jail for his crime but in my view he should have known better. Dogs used in the ring are usually chained up outside and not well looked after at all. The bait dogs are usually found in the worst condition of all. Crimes against humans result in the offender going to jail for years and years depending on the severity of the crime but to my knowledge most animal cruelty offenders get less than a year to two years for their crimes even-though in some extreme cases their actions result in horribly painful and slow deaths for the animals who were abused. In my opinion even for animals the type of crime should dictate the length of time behind bars.

Anthropomorphism is becoming an epidemic

 I am a big fan of Dancing with the Stars for several years now and last night marked the premiere of the sixteenth season. They include at least one reality "star" every season and this season is no different. This year's competitor is Lisa Vanderpump from The Real housewives of Beverly Hills, which I have not watched nor do I wish too. Mrs. Vanderpump has a male Pomeranian named Giggy whom she apparently takes everywhere with her and treats like a human baby. Last night for her debut on Dancing with the Stars was no different. She  dressed him  in a tuxedo and started her dance with him under her arm and passed him off to who I am guessing is her personal assistant, just before she started dancing. He was also included in the small video of dance practice which they always show before the  each couple takes to the dance floor. When Mrs. Vanderpump makes appearances on the red carpet at charity events or awards shows there is Giggy dressed to the nines and tucked under her arm.

    Correct me if I am wrong but these adorable toy and tea-cup breeds are dogs and not a fashion accessory or stuffed animal with which to play dress-up!
Dogs should be allowed to do what is natural to them such as socializing with other dogs and people, run around, explore their surroundings, play with toys etc. Anthropomorphism is the terms used to describe dogs who are treated like humans by their owners. Clearly because they are "pocket-sized' and are misconceived to be fragile the toy and tea-cup breeds are most often immune to this phenomenon. These reasons are by no means justification for treating these breed of dogs  like a human  baby or the latest fashion accessory.
The owners who treat their dogs like their children and insist on carrying them around like  helpless babies who are unable to walk are doing their pets a huge dis-service by not allowing them to do what comes naturally to them. Mrs. Vanderpump is doing her dog Giggy no favours by treating him like a fashion accessory. He appears to be devoid of any personality and looks comatose most of the time, probably because he is not allowed to be a dog.  As Cesar Millan you  can't have a well-rounded dog if they are not allowed to simply be a dog with  all rules and expectations that go along with it. . I have a toy mix breed and I do dress her in coats but only to protect her from the elements when I take her for a walk. I do not take her everywhere with me and I do not call her my "child". The result of which is that she is a happy well-rounded and well- adjusted dog who knows that she is a dog.
  
   This phenomenon of anthropomorphism will never stop if people don't stop treating their Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and other small breeds like their "children". Dogs are not included in the list of things that are considered true fashion accessories and owners should stop treating them as such.