OPINION: Don’t let out-of-state activists drive SD policy
January 4, 2013 at 1:14 am in The Daily Republic
In 2012, a group of out-of-state animal rights activists launched a campaign to change North Dakota’s animal cruelty laws.
Continue Reading
OPINION: Don’t let out-of-state activists drive SD policy
11 Comments
Mr. Dick, I now live outside of Lead South Dakota and have been a life-long resident of South Dakota. My neighbor’s dog was tortured and murdered 5 years ago and a local task force tried to get felony laws on the books for the most egregious acts of cruelty to no avail.
I spent my own money trying to get this bill on the floor. I do not belong to any outside groups. I have seen the pain and torture first-hand. This is not about Ag and outside groups. This is about our companion animals in this great state and the need to treat them humanely. Did you know the North Dakota legislature is considering a bill this year due to the efforts of the locals?
It’s the right thing to do and it’s the right time.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
1
Mr. Dick,
I have lived in SD for most of my 41 years. I however, did not grow up on a farm or a ranch, so I cannot speak to why they would be afraid of implementing felony animal cruelty laws in SD?? I am not sure what they are doing on the farms and ranches that require them to have to ABUSE animals in order to go about their daily business? However, what I do know is that what we, myself included, would like to see passed is felony laws for the abuse of companion animals (PETS). My pets are part of my family, my babies and if someone were to harm one of them….currently there is little that could be done to punish the abuser. Why is this okay? Why is it okay for someone to starve a dog to death because it was too much of a bother to feed? Beat a dog to death to punish a girlfriend? Set a cat on fire just for the fun of it? WHY Mr. Dick, WHY? If you can give me good reasons as to why individuals who do things like this should not face jail time, fines, etc…I may be willing to listen to you, take a step back, even support you. But I am 100% sure there is NOTHING you can tell me that would make any of that okay EVER!! This DOES happen and it happens more often than any of us would like to admit. Individuals who are able to do unthinkable things like this to animals unfortunately do not stop with animals….think about that Mr. Dick. The next time a child or a partner is abused….did it start with a PET??
Heather Nearman
Sioux Falls, SD
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
35 
2
As the South Dakota State Director for The HSUS I wish to correct Mr. Dick and let Mitchell readers know we are working on issues important to the HSUS members and supporters in SD, and work hard to help all animals in SD every day. I am a SD native and was an HSUS member long before I became the State Director. Mr. Dick does know this because we’ve had coffee together. It’s unfortunate that he’s spreading the misinformation he finds on the Internet and treats it as gospel, but I’ll clarify for those interested in the facts. HSUS spends 80% of our funds on program expenses – that ranges from stopping puppy mills, to rescuing animals from fighting rings, to stopping poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. We are rated a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, approved by the Better Business Bureau for all 20 standards for charity accountability, voted by Guidestar’s Philanthropedia experts as the #1 high impact animal protection group, and named by Worth Magazine as one of the 10 most fiscally responsible charities. Our finances, and details about the work that we do, as well as why there are those who oppose our animal protection work, can all be found at http://www.humanesociety.org/about.
It is interesting that if Mr. Dick is concerned about finances, that he would use information from a discredited front group where recently there was an investigative piece released by Bloomberg, about their funding. The groups attacking HSUS are run by Rick Berman, who has been condemned by the editorial boards of USA Today and the Washington Post for misleading the public. The New York Times, ABC News and CBS’s 60 Minutes, which dubbed Berman “Dr. Evil,” have also exposed the organization as a front group. News organizations that look into his front groups find more of a scam than a source. A recent story by Bloomberg may be of particular interest: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-02/ union-busting-by-profiting-from-non-profit-may-breach-irs.html
With regards to North Dakota, citizens collected signatures for the ballot initiative and of course we supported their efforts – a broad coalition of agriculture and animal welfare groups are now working in ND to pass a felony animal cruelty bill in 2013. The fact is, that in South Dakota we have some of the worst animal cruelty laws in the country and South Dakotans want felony penalties for egregious acts of animal cruelty. We invite and encourage Mr. Dick and anyone who has concerns to sit down with us, and help to pass a law that works for everyone, and protects animals.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
6
I worked with animals in the state of SOUTH DAKOTA let me just say it is heartbreaking to see an animal that has been starved to the point of death but for some strange reason they are still holding on! Seeing an animal that has been beaten so severe that it cowers everytime there is a loud noise is horrible makes you break down and hate everyone because how could someone do this to an animal that has done nothing to them. I have so many stories that I could post it would take me all day but the one that sticks out in my mind and always will is a pitbull that was treated so badly she lost all of her hair, her skin was so irritated it was pink, she had never stepped on grass, and you could count every rib she had, but despite all of this she was one of the best dogs!! Her owner did all of this to her because she was supposed to be a fighter and when she wouldn’t she was left to fend for herself, kicked, beaten, and broken. If we don’t get tougher on these people they will continue to hurt these helpless animals and they will teach future generations to do the same. Animal abuse/cruelty in younger people tends to lead to abuse in the home, and in some cases murder if our state is against this something needs to change our state is one of the most laid back states when it comes to breaking laws if we can change that maybe our crime rate would go down!!!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
28 
4
Mr. Dick,
When the Humane State Ranking was published, many people thought that South Dakotans were basically being called inhumane and animal abusers. The reason South Dakota rates so low on the Humane State Ranking scale is because we have very few laws that protect animals from egregious acts. Some folks would like to believe that horrible acts against animals do not occur in our state. Having worked in the field of veterinary medicine for nearly 17 years, I can tell you that is just not the case. It does happen in our state. Just because you don’t hear about it every day or read about it in your daily newspapers doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. And just because, as you put it, “South Dakotans already have a strong commitment to providing the best possible care for our animals”, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have laws in place(and have those laws enforced) in order to punish those who commit crimes against animals and hold them accountable for their actions.
There is a certain faction in our state, an ag state, that is so fearful of anything that speaks of protection for animals. If you would like to see South Dakota rank higher on the Humane State Ranking scale, then we need to have more laws in place to protect our animals. If South Dakota continues its low rating, you can blame this faction of people for that.
Also, you stated that the Humane Society of the United States, despite its name, gave less than 1 percent of its budget to support local pet shelters. The HSUS is not directly affiliated with any of our local shelters and does not make that claim. They are an entirely separate entity. However, there are many ways in which their efforts are able to supplement the work already being done by our local shelters. Visit this site to learn more about the many ways in which HSUS does help our local shelters.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/facts/HSUS_local_shelters.html
And, lastly, I feel that you should probably practice what you preach. Take the time to educate yourself and learn more about HSUS and the wonderful things they are accomplishing. Perhaps you should have done so prior to writing the above editorial.
Like or Dislike:
19 
5
Dear Mr. Dick,
I come from a long line of agricultural people. I was born and raised on a farm/ranch in northeastern South Dakota. I attended country school, was a member of 4-H and extension clubs. I belong to no animal rights groups. My Dad raised cattle, chickens, horse, sheep and crops. Plus we had numerous dogs and cats. Dad respected and cared for his livestock and if he saw ill treatment of animals he wasn’t afraid to voice his disapproval. I don’t believe there is one person who doesn’t loath abuse of animals.
A few years ago we lost a beautiful yellow lab to an evil person who stole her and locked her in a shed and starved her to death over a period of 5 weeks. Can you imagine this torture? Then, one day we got a call from the landowner who found her in a shed on his property. He said, “I think we found your Maysie”. The site of our beautiful, loving companion was so horrific it was almost impossible to wrap our head around it. She was so emaciated that you could see her ribs and hips covered with her once beautiful coat. She hadn’t been dead that long. When we picked up her lifeless body it was still soft. Who does such a thing? An evil, sick twisted mind is who. This is what animal cruelty is about. This is not Ag or non-Ag…it is about what is right. Every Ag person has a prize animal, be it a bull, cow, pig, horse, etc. Plus most own dogs and cats. If a prize animal was stolen and found starved to death. What then? Do you really think the present law fits the crime? A misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $1,000 and or 1 year in prison that’s it.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
0
Mr Dick,
I feel that there needs to be a greater understanding of what is actually trying to be accomplished by passing a law that holds animal abusers to a higher penalty than just a slap on the wrist and a minimal fine. There is more and as many of us are active in the rescue and shelter arena, we have all seen first hand the horror that many of these animals that we are trying to protect have been subjected too…that is if they are lucky enough to survive. I want to bring your attention to a case not too long ago in Burbank, SD. You might remember hearing about the case because it was extremely newsworthy. A man who entered the kennel of his neighbors’ family pet, and bludgeoned the family dog to death with a hammer. The dog was not vicious, had not been running freely, had done no damage to property and not even posed a threat as a so-called banned “bad breed” dog. He barked, the dog did what dogs do when they are away from their family, it barked and the neighbor beat the dog to death, with a hammer….again I emphasize with a hammer. This man was sentenced to a 60 day suspended sentence, fined $400 and ordered to pay restitution of $2k. He was charged with a misdemeanor. When and if there is ever a background check performed on him for gun permit, security clearance, to work with children or in a state facility this will not show the incredibly horrible act and crime that was truly performed. This type of crime is just one of the many that this legislative initiative would be directed at. Who can deny that?
I would like to also address the claim that all of these legislative proposals are being promoted and funded by outside animal right activists and out of state funding…simply put, it is very untrue. The only out of state support that I have ever witnessed are the people like WY Rep Sue Wallis and her band of merry miraders traipsing across the countryside promoting and encouraging SD to jump on the horse slaughter band wagon. As an agriculture backed state, I understand where the concern may lie with the wording perhaps of some of proposed bills but it is not aimed at farmers and ranchers. If you take care of your animals there should be no concern, if you are providing the good quality care that most do, why such an uproar and push back from elected officials and the agriculture community? This is about people who do not take care of their animals, this is about people who subject their animals to tortuous conditions, do not provide them with food, water, shelter and veterinary care when needed. This is about holding people to a standard of care for animals and holding people accountable who are repeat “offenders” who at some point may not draw the line at an animal.
I been actively watching and encouraging the movement in ND and as a life time resident of SD would be relieved to see a measure pass in SD. Texas has stricter laws against animal abuse than SD and they are a HUGE ranching state, same goes for OK and many states in the Midwest. Maybe if more people were interested in the actual truth and educating themselves rather than listening to the continued negative rhetoric and staunch pushback from legislators. Let’s talk about who is funding what when we talk about the lobbyists and outside interests that are funding certain Ag bills, who are these people from outside corporate farms and industries pushing for decreased regulation? Let’s talk outside money and outside interests now. The ultimate hypocrisy lies in the people who point the finger while their other arm is elbow deep in self interest. Mr.Dick, you have done a HUGE disservice to the animals of this state and others by making an untrue public statement about the HSUS and their position in all of this.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
21 
1
Dear Mr. Dick:
The depths to which human depravity can sink, as illustrated by this story and gutwrenching pictures can shock even those of us who have seen the worst.
The misery, pain and callousness inflicted by humans is more than can be understood by most people. However, the heartless manner in which a dying animal is tossed away like garbage is not only reprehensible but the increase that we have seen indicates a downward spiral of compassion, moral fiber and ethics.
The 22-story apartment building is equipped with garbage chutes on each floor for tenants. Someone had no more use for this dog. He had been starved to near death, put it in a garbage bag and threw it down the garbage chute. A maintenance worker who cleans out the bin every few days. Wednesday, March 16th was one of those days, they were cleaning out the contents to go directly to the trash compactor. The bag moved a little and the worker opened the bag to find a very pathetically thin, cold & near death dog. Because his rebirth began on St. Patrick’s Day, he was given the name Patrick.
On March 17, 2011, a facebook page was started to combat animal cruelty called The Patrick Miracle, today it has over 256,000 members. Over 40 states and many foreign countries have followed their example and have facebook pages named after Patrick. The one I started is called Patrick’s Movement in South Dakota. I have lived in South Dakota all my adult life and most of my childhood, I grew up on a farm and on a cattle ranch in western South Dakota.
I am asking you not to think that the only people that care about animal cruelty in our state is “outside organizations” like HSUS, PETA, and ASPCA. I have to wonder who one thinks makes up those “outside organizations”, they are people just like me that care about animals, I care about all animals. As of today, the owner of this dog has not served any jail time.
I have attached a photo of Patrick the day he was found.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=358299584240044&set=a.358299574240045.75545.136427856427219&type=3&theater
Like or Dislike:
4 
1
Ok maybe im the only one left in SD that sees Mr. Dicks point. Yes animal abuse is horrible. It is wrong on every level. But as laws get passed, the very point of the law to protect the animals gets clouded by others judgement. Example: You have a family dog that is 17 years old, that dog is a part of your family and you love the dog, that dog grew up with the family. But his joints are bad now, he has stopped eating, and is suffering. So you do what you have to, its hard but you love the dog and dont want to see him suffer, so you take the dog out for his last walk. You put him down humainly by putting him down yourself with your gun and give him a proper barial. Now some people would be like “OH MY GOD HE JUST SHOT HIS DOG”, and with the laws he would face a felony for putting the dog that he loved down. Animal absuse is wrong and my heart goes out to all those animals, but people need to think things through before they go and approve laws that can be viewed differently by different people.
Like or Dislike:
5 
7
Lobby your legislators to pass a law that works for the people of South Dakota. Don’t allow an outside group to influence your politics.
Like or Dislike:
4 
6
Mr. Dick is undoubtably talking about the laws implemented in other states and bills presented to the South Dakota legislature in past years. The bills are vaguely written with many loopholes in place. Something that seems so insignificent as changing the word “dog” to “animal” opens up our main source of income in South Dakota, our agricultural , community to attack.
Our Governor has made his main area of interest this year in our penal system. He has stated the system needs to be revamped to decrease the number of inmates, or we need to build new facilities. My question is who will be let out on an early parole to put an animal abuser behind bars?
Before animal abuse becomes a felony should we not make sure all child, spouse, or any other abuser of a human gets a stiffer sentence than an animal abuser? These laws must be updated to reflect our continued promise to protect all residents of South Dakota from abuse.
It is true that almost all states have animal abuse as a felony with many not having a much higher penalty than we do in South Dakota now as a misdemeaner. Upon visiting http://www.pet-abuse.com I found 8 other states that have felony jail time equal to or less than our 1 year in SD. Also according to this website there was only 1 case of animal abuse in SD in 2012.
The question becomes should we endanger our agricultural industry with a law that may tie the hands of live animal producers when it comes to daily care activities, overburden our penal system, place a higher value on the life of an animal compared to a child all for 1 abuse incident?
Like or Dislike:
4 
5