ok I just caught the title 5 Worst States to be an Animal... really ND is one of the 5 worst places to be a pet? Give me a break, a lax law does not mean we love to abuse animals. I guarentee (and Im going to research this) even though its not a felony we have lower numbers of animal abuse cases than most other states. Our crime rates across the board are lower than most of the nation.

5 states I wouldn't live in then.

Positive..., the feeling is mutual, stay away, your smug, egotistic, self righteous attitude does not mix well with the real people who inhabit the northern plains. Why do you make the assumption that people in these states abuse animals? As outdoors... stated, there is no need for the laws as people treat all life with respect. They don't need a stinking politician to tell them whats right and wrong, it's woven into the very fabric of the culture.

Besides, how did that work out in Georgia, I'm quite sure they have a law against dog fighting. It may have punished the guilty, but it wasn't able to prevent it from happening.

People are getting so defensive ... the point of the article is that if you were a dog, and you were abused, those five states provide the least punishment to the abuser and the least restrictions/deterrents to prevent them from abusing again. The article is not speaking to the quality of animal care by the average pet owner in those states.

I do agree that ND doesn't have a great law on Animal abuse. I do agree that something should be done about it. But I will also say that when people get caught around here that abuse animals they may as well move out of state. Around here it's not the police I would be afraid of it's the resisdents that will kick your ass. And I am a ND resisident, animal lover and would have no problem punching someone's nose if I seen them abusing there animal.

We here on the northern tier in North Dakota don't need someone to tell us how to treat animals. We already know. The dogs and cats we keep as pets are treated like part of the family. The deer, geese, ducks and other wild game we put on the table as food.

Case closed

"Besides, how did that work out in Georgia, I'm quite sure they have a law against dog fighting. It may have punished the guilty, but it wasn't able to prevent it from happening."

But it will usually prevent it from happening again.

Rnelson, I love your style. I would do the same. Unfortunately every State has animal abusers to include ND. I have for the longest time worked with agencies to implement stricter laws in every State. I too would throw myself at someone abusing an animal at any cost to myself. If one of my States were mentioned in this article I would not be defensive at all, but would take a few minutes to see what I could do about changing the laws in my State. I have heard unbelievable stories, such as the woman how repeatedly tortured dogs with making her children assist in the torture. There were countless bodies of dogs in her backyard and the only way she got caught is her son turned her in THANK GOD! In my opinion, we all just need to do our best to prevent animal cruelty.

Any law protecting our animals should include a line that also outlaws dressing animals in outfits.

All red states except for Hawaii. They treat their animals like they treat others...so much for the Golden Rule. And the reason there is such low crime in ND is because NO ONE LIVES THERE!!! Do not have to be a guinness to understand statistics.

Do not have to be a guinness to understand statistics.

Would that be the beer, the lager or the ale? Or maybe the world record compiler? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

someone in north dakota had glued a cat to a road, someone had like 90 dogs living in their homes. yep i can see it with nd

Sick of it,

your kidding right?

You just made fun of a group of people for thier intellect, and then stated the you don't have to be a "GUINNESS" to figure it out.

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!!
HERE'S YOUR SIGN!

Oh my god, I would have responded earlier but I was laughing too hard and still am.

No one(642,000 actually) lives here would not be a true statement. People without brain cells that cannot fathom what good living and hard work is DON'T live here.

Maybe why there are so few of us, but we like it that way. The hard work and cold temps keep riff-raff like yourself out. We are also one of the most fiscally responsible states in the union. Let me guess you are from the bankrupt state of california, stay there we don't want you here. We are also one of the most heavily armed states in the union, 'guns per resident' and so on. We don't need others to tell us how to live, and yes, an idiot did glue a cat to the highway, and they are paying dearly for it both legally and socially, mark my word.

@Lugiaspal: That cat was glued in SW Minnesota, not ND.

@Sick of IT!!!: Well, aside from the misspelling, apparently you do need to be a genius since crime rates are posted as # of crimes per capita. Which means that population size isn't relevant.

I also agree that in ND the amount of cruelty is rather low compare to most other states.

Mitchell

Instead of seeing this article and thinking its time to changie the laws, ppl on here just start striking out at others. Those are probably the same ones doing the hate mongering in the political discussions.

RNelson - if someone were abusing an animal, and you punched them in the nose, wouldn't that be a form of animal abuse?

you don't get it. they article is only talking about the states that have lax laws concerning animal abuse.

if you read the entire article, you'll see that the expert said that it didn't mean that the people who live in those 5 states are more prone to mistreat animals.

it blows my mind how many people come to these comment boards and have not read the articles. headlines don't count......."people"...

In Mississippi they don't need laws to protect animals. Mess with a man's dog down there and the owner himself will take care of the offender.

The United States has placed too much emphasis on animal care these days (not that I believe in abusing any animal-dog, cat, human, etc.) String a man up by his toes and set him on fire if he hits a dog, but praise the woman who kills her unborn child? Oh yeah, that sounds like an ideal society... I'm from Mississippi. We don't walk down the street swatting dogs and drop cats into boiling pots on the weekends for pure pleasure, we, typically, do the right thing because that is our nature. We were taught to respect people (animals were not primarily mentioned as things that deserve the best of all worlds). Our values place more importance on human lives than those of animals. Sorry, that's just our way.

Have a good day:)

You mean like the way we have the highest teen birthrate in the country, yet we continue to push abstinence only sex-ed programs?

Positive...

We don't want you...

I think the best gauge of a man's humanity is how well he treats animals, children, women , the elderly and those less fortunate.

You can hardly draw that conclusion from that website ... New York, Texas, and Florida are also more populated states, so they will have more cruelty. Furthermore, maybe in these states abuse is more likely to be reported? It's hard to say. The information they project is incomplete and unscientifically collected, to say the least.

Our legislature just passed stricter laws in Texas. We worked hard to get them to upgrade dogfights to a felony. It is a felony if you are AT a dogfight...cruelty to animals is going to put people in jail here. A man killed his girlfriend's dog and he is doing time right now.

Every state is full of animal abusers. Many people won't report to the proper authorities because they are neighbors, friends, relatives of the abusers and will not get involved because they are afraid to report these people. So they stand by and watch because they have no spine. I have heard it hundreds of times. Good for Texas patA! Way to go! It takes people like you who honestly work to get stricters laws passed. It's sure not easy either-a fight all the way usually.

The title is 5 worst states to be an animal. That implies we are crueler more often. Its simply not the case.

No human being deserves to die for animal cruelty. Unhug your tree and pull your head out of your ass.

Dont worry Chris, if I saw you abuse and animal I'd shoot you myself. Now get back to the woods.

Animal cruelty is a sign of serious mental problems. Kids who abuse animals grow up to be psychos, blah, blah, blah. Should he die? No. Should he repeatedly be kicked in the nuts with a steel-toed boot? Probably.

"jeff-812327 Dont worry Chris, if I saw you abuse and animal I'd shoot you myself. Now get back to the woods."

So Jeff, you are the animal lover who kills people, is that it? Pardon me while I poo poo your point of view and all who share your point of view. If you advocate killing people over pet/animal crimes then you are worse than those who mistreat animals.

That implies we are crueler more often. Its simply not the case.

No, it doesn't. What it does imply is if you're a pet and are being abused, there are fewer punishments for the abuser and less to stop it from happening again.

Doesn't mean we can ignore abuse of animals -TOO-.

SWM, why don't you stay on topic? There isn't a single subject that comes up on the board that doesn't pull abortion into it. Give your opinion to the lawmakers and change the law.

It's most likely (please note I said MOST LIKELY) the people who are pro-choice are the ones who care enough about their animals to spay and neuter them in order to reduce the production of helpless creatures of God who are at the mercy of abusive predators. And I consider children helpless creatures of God.

Screminmimi, that is because all the dumb ass people who think that humans should die for animal abuse fail to recognize the prime form of human animal abuse. What an America that cries for the abused puppies, but thinks it's their right to kill babies.

they are not f'n babies until they are born.....so animal trumps fetus every time.

GOOD GRIEF..WHY DO PRO-LIFE IDIOTS ALWAYS SLIP IN UNDER THE DOOR.....!

Ok, we heard from the pro-lifers, now we need to hear from those who blame Bush or Obama for everything to find a way to blame them for this.

And many people who are so fixated on vilifying pro-choice advocates are the ones who think it's 'unnatural' to spay or neuter pets.

When people start choosing to (and medical science finds a cheap and safe way to do it) spay and neuter themselves to prevent the birth of children whose lives end at the tender ages between one month and five years, from abusive parents and predators, I'll stop advocating pro-choice.

Hot in Miami, you've given me my laugh for the day.

Of course, after the two presidents are vilified by name, we have to have specific posts dedicated to liberals/conservatives and democrats/republicans. We might even get a cat/dog controversy.

While your on the bandwagon for prolife, why don't you advocate for stiffer child support laws and make these young boys accountable, then young girls will not have to have abortions.

Sorry,,,, sent message to wrong person

I simply agree with you.

What about domestic violence? Child abuse? Murder? Voting for Obama?

Animal abuse is BAD. But they are still animals.

By the way, how many of you think hunting is a form of animal abuse?

By the way, how many of you think hunting is a form of animal abuse?

Depends. Are you going to eat it?

You got that right! It amazes me that some ignorant people think that if someone tortures an animal and gets arrested, fined, that he has paid his "dues". They too are out of their minds!!!!!! Lock your doors because your daughters and sons are next!

Please, God, do not let my beloved North Dakota ever resemble the a$$ backwards cesspool of california.

Then wake up and see if your North Dakota is railroading dozens of laws through every Jan. 1st, without saying anything.

cootkiller, nor Idaho. i came from Ca. They treat their fellow humans far worse than they treat animals. Idaho has alot of good people, and i don't see good too much after living in Ca. (Ca. ups the law in every dirty deed they are involved in.) here is a poem i wrote for Ca. government and its kind.

suckin' on this covered candy, my gosh! the coatings gone
sour putrid to the taste. why did it take so long?
your charming ways reminded me of the aura of a saint
i can't believe i thought you were exacty what you aint.

charming, kind, a caring heart? you've got the devils degree
oh boy i sure felt stupid when you showed that thing to me.
your acting was so perfect, and you were such a hit
and i can't believe that all this time, i was eating candy coated *hit!!

We have. That's why our 'property' (money) is going to all kinds of things we don't approve of or like.

You do not approve of preventing animal cruelty?

If you're talking to me, ik in la, I absolutely do agree in preventing animal cruelty. It was the comment about needing to be told what to do with my property that struck a wrong note.

I consider money, my computer, my car as 'property'. My dog and my horse are family.

I do agree with you on that screminmimi.

Exactly! I am glad Lola is doing good. I had a very sweet Lola myself, (American Bulldog). My dogs are my family, not my property. That is a very good thing to hear about Escambia County.

BULLDOGS! I have an English one, though. If I saw or heard of someone abusing or killing him, I would quickly be arrested for murder.

Justin me too!

There has to be common sense along with any law. I don't know how people who own snakes can bear to feed live mice to them. On the other hand, let me see a mouse around my house and I borrow my sister's cat for a couple of days.

PETA- People Eating Tasty Animals

Have you ever pondered that whenever you see a PETA member it is mind blowing how utterly morbid and deathly they appear.

Seen any pictures of Pamela Lee Anderson Solomon, oh he!! I forgot how many guys she's married/slept with. Sure looks like that vegan diet and plastic surgery did her well for the aging:)

Guns yes... we'll be taking them. But you can keep your wife (aka your sister) and your inbred offspring.

That is so funny, I can't keep from laughing. Can we vote this idiot off the island.. the tribe has spoken....hahaha

I'll second that! Good grief.

I generally treat the tasty animals I eat very well, i buy good, sound firearms and quality ammunition and am a very good shot. Seldom do I have to administer a follow-up shot on big game and my shot gunning skills on waterfowl are exemplary.

Nothing like bacon wrapped goose, white-tail backstraps, right along side a couple yellow perch fillets.

Never had dog before so I can't comment on how the cuteness of the animal effects its taste, bunnies are pretty cute though and cottontails are wonderful table fare.

Ha! I'm not a hunter, but grew up with them so I can see where you are coming from. I was just talking about how chicken and cattle are raised for all our delicious, healthy fast-food. Milk cows go through some pretty bad @!$%#, so we can have those "Got Milk?" ads in our intellectual, high quality reading material (People, etc.) Got Milk? You wouldn't want it, if you knew what was in it!

Cootkiller, where you gettin Yellow Perch from all the way out there in ND? Must be expensive, but tasty.

expensive, yes, if you total up all the money I've spent on ice fishing equipment and summer fishing equipment, but just about every lake in the state has yellow perch, walleye, and or northern pike in it.

I've heard that Yellow Perch was hard to find anywhere except Lake Erie, you can pull in your limit in about 10 mins some days. Do they stock the lakes there?

Rita, I used to take my beloved dogs to a fenced in Cow pasture near my Boynton Beach, FL home. After a while the cows got used to us, (me, my Boxer and American Bulldog). They actually started greeting us and I grew quite fond of them, as did my dogs. I am the same way Rita. I love all animals too.

go do some research and you'll find the monster people abusers are the monster animal abusers it all ties in. so you'd better be concerned for both because one can't be remedied without the other.otherwise forget being concerned at all.

just a month and half ago there was this mutant mother up in either rochester or schenedity new york who use to force her kids to abuse animals just for the fun and the hell of it. if they didn't she'd abuse them the kids..so there ya go two for one.finally one kid couldn't take it any more and squealed on her to the authorities. she got arrested. a real pillar of society that one is.

MAR~~

Let's see how long it takes people to understand that people abuse is directly related to the abuse of animal~

You people who do not read an entire article must be trolling Newsvine and don't have a clue about the article the rest of us are talking about.

Read (and study spelling )and become better educated about the world around you!

"There’s also a strong connection between animal abuse and other types of violence, particularly domestic violence, a link that has been shown in many studies. A 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that those who had committed a violent crime against an animal were five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people. When animal abuse is addressed early, before it becomes a habit, it can help to reduce overall violence in a community, Otto says."

thank you pata...i have been doin some preparing for a speech on animal abuse and on most of the web pages ive been on they have said that most of the time when an animal is abused its because the person is being forced to abuse it by another person. i know that's not always the case but statistics say its pretty high up there.

what do you base your assumption on?

dansu, you're a real prize!

Thanks patA, that's what everyone tells me!!

Totally agree. Less law, more accountability. Such a shame that we must attempt to craft a society in which all wrongs are codified so as to remove conscience and morality from our actions. I eat animals and am unashamed. I don't mistreat animals, but don't believe people should go to jail for many things listed as animal cruelty. It amazes me that so many people believe that there is something humane about the Humane Society euthanizing unwanted animals and something criminal about people shooting or drowning them.

You sound pretty sick, if the animal was "dumb" like you said it was, then it should not have been held accountable for cornering you. You can't have it both ways.

'