Punish animal abusers

To the editor: The compassionate citizens who alerted authorities to the home of Danielle Assante should be applauded for their diligence in reporting cruelty to animals (“Animal cruelty case will go to trial,” Aug. 11). For the safety of the community, it’s imperative that Assante is punished to the fullest extent of the law if convicted of abandoning twelve dogs in a home with no food or water, which resulted in the deaths of nine of the dogs. Pike County Humane Society Supervisor Barry Heim should also be commended for his efforts to ensure this case is vigorously prosecuted. As Heim is likely aware, cruelty to animals, including negligence, is a serious issue. Repeat crimes are the rule among animal abusers, so it is vital that those found guilty of it are properly punished. The American Psychiatric Association identifies crimes against animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses reports of these crimes in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the cruelty, not the species of the victim, that matters. For more information about the link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans, see http://www.HelpingAnimals.com. Martin Mersereau People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals