Animal Cruelty Local Boy Charged.(not for weak at heart)

[RyanR]

well today i was reading the newspaper... and a 14 year old boy was charged for animal cruely.. would you like to know what he did/does? he got a kick out of watching his snake eat Live... But didnt want to risk hurting it,,. so he would take Nail clippers to the mice's TEETH and cut them off.. and then cut them tip of the tows off.. when i read this i was PISSED... Im only 16.. and this kid is giving snake owners bad name + "kids" will be labeled this way around here now... stuff like this pisses me off!!!

 

[princess]

That's just horrid. He deserves to have his fingers and toes hacked off, teeth ripped out and be fed to some hungry cougars...


What a horrible person.

 

[Gintha]

GAH! Thats disgusting!! The poor mice!!!!

 

[mbdorfer]

Yeah, even I'm appalled at that. :bang:

 

[Roy Munson]

That is a terrible story, but at least he had his snake's welfare in mind. It's completely legal to maim a cat by having it declawed, and this is usually done for the sole purpose of protecting non-living objects (e.g. sofas and table legs). And at least these mice were put out of their misery fairly quickly after the "operation". Can't say the same for all those multiple-amputee declawed cats out there.

 

[ultimuttone]

That is truly horrible, and strange in a way that he would have his snakes welfare in mind, but think nothing of maiming the mice. Unfortunately he is not the only one who sees a creatures value only as its place in the food chain.

That is a terrible story, but at least he had his snake's welfare in mind. It's completely legal to maim a cat by having it declawed, and this is usually done for the sole purpose of protecting non-living objects (e.g. sofas and table legs). And at least these mice were put out of their misery fairly quickly after the "operation". Can't say the same for all those multiple-amputee declawed cats out there.

You would be amazed how many people (including cat owners) have no idea how the declawing process is done. Apparently most don't even ask before having the procedure done on their own pets. After seeing it done by both options, I could never do it. uke01:

 

[weaver]

I guess I must be one of the cruel ones. I have all of my cats declawed and I do know how the process is done. The cats are put to sleep, the vet makes a small incision and then pulls the claw out and stitches it back up. I'm sorry if you all think I'm cruel but it benefits everyone involved. The cats don't get yelled at and beaten for scratching up the furniture and in return they get to live a comfy life in a warm house among people who love them. I also look at mice as part of the food chain. I buy frozen mice for my snakes. I don't care how they get frozen, just that they serve the purpose they are intended for, food for my snakes. I buy live crickets for my chameleon and I don't particularly feel sorry for the cricket as it gets eaten. It is intended to be food. I also don't care how they kill the pigs, cows and chickens that I eat. They also serve their purpose. I do think that the boy should feed frozen mice if he's worried about the mice hurting his snakes. I don't feel I'm being cruel to my cats when I have them declawed. I also had my husband neutered and didn't give it a thought about how it might affect him later in life. It was a necessary procedure.

 

[Jimmy Johnson]

cats

I have cats. All indoors and none de-clawed. If you don't want cats to act like cats don't get cats.
They don't just snip the claw they take the first joint also.
The actual procedure doesn't hurt, they are under anesthesia of course, but the next 10 to 14 days are pure hell on them.
If you say they aren't, you are either lying to us or to yourself.
I have seen de-clawed cats limping around with their feet bandaged and they sure as hell aren't happy.
I have actually had both of my "big" toe toenails removed, permanently.
This is not as invasive as de-clawing and I can tell you first hand it is painful.
It takes a few days to get past the pain. Especially if you don't take your pain killers.
If you don't believe it is cruel to de-claw a cat then, well, I can only say IN MY OPINION, you are an idiot.
One of your reasons for de-clawing the cats is so you don't have to beat them. Now that is one hell of a good reason!
Yes, I eat meat and yes I feed my snakes mice, but I can bet you money no one took snips and cut off the cows teeth or hooves before they killed it and I can also guarantee the mice I buy have not had their feet and teeth cut before freezing.

 

[ultimuttone]

I have seen it done both by amputating the last joint of the toe and by literally prying and ripping out the nail bed(which is not always successful so usually amputation is done). Both painful recoveries.
I had one cat I considered having rear declawed because she had a skin allergy and would literally rip a hole in the back of her neck scratching and had to be stiched up 3 times. I ended up keeping SoftPaws on her back feet-problem solved. Other than that, I trim my cats nails weekly and live with them scrathing up my office chair:grin01:
I realize it is a very common procedure, just like cropping ears. But we can't kid ourselves into believing that it is not painful or done for any reason other than owner preference. Their is no real benefit to the animal.

 

[ghosthousecorns]

I am against declawing cats, not only because it causes them pain but because it takes away their ability to defend themselves. Keeping them indoors is no guarantee they won't get out sometime and meet the neighbor's dog. And if you value your furniture that much a cat is the wrong pet for you. Although... puppies chew and destroy things so should they be 'detoothed'? What about small children, they can be destructive! You'd go to jail for 'defingering' them!
My cat has a scratching post, gets her front nails cut with nail clippers and gets squirted with a water bottle if she goes at the couch, but then again I have a kinda cheap couch since material things like furniture don't matter that much to me.

 

[ghosthousecorns]

I also had my husband neutered and didn't give it a thought about how it might affect him later in life. It was a necessary procedure.

:eek1:I am a girl but I can't help wondering why didn't you get yourself 'spayed' instead? (Kinda hope one of the guys has something to say on this ) :sidestep:

 

[cimckee]

The operation is much safer for guys than it is for women and much simpler, just cut, snip, and sew. Makes sense when you think about it, a guy's reproductive organs hang "outside" the body, where as a woman's are buried deep within.

 

[cimckee]

Another thing, for all of you that believe de-clawing a cat causes it unnecessary pain, I have to ask, do you spay/neuter your animals? I believe in spaying and neutering, because it easies the pressure on an already exploding animal population, but it doesn’t benefit the animal in any way. If simply de-clawing a cat can provide it with a warm and caring home, then I would say that not only does it not “hurt” the cat; on the contrary, it benefits the cat. One more thing, calling people an idiot simply because they do something that’s different than you and as benign as de-clawing a cat doesn’t show much acceptance of others and their ideas.

 

[ultimuttone]

I, for one have not called anyone an idiot. I simply stated, and correctly that declawing is a painful procedure done for the sole benefit of the owner. Spaying and neutering does have benefits to both the animal and the exploding unwanted animal population.
I also stated that it is commonly accepted procedure, at this time. Many of us have cats-fully clawed living comfy, spoiled lives in warm loving homes. I think there is something to be said for accepting the negative aspects of a pet or finding a different kind of pet. Kind of like the people who want a nice long haired dog or cat but do not want to accept responsibility for properly grooming it or have it shaved bald. It would make more sense to buy a short haired animal. Or if you don't like a freezer full of rodents, don't buy a snake .
Now that we have gone completely off topic...I hope this kid gets a stiff sentence, and maybe some community service time with abused animals.

 

[dionythicus]

:eek1:I am a girl but I can't help wondering why didn't you get yourself 'spayed' instead? (Kinda hope one of the guys has something to say on this ) :sidestep:

I've been "spayed", for me it was a tubal ligation. It means general anesthesia, an invasive procedure, the possibility of more complications, etc. Primarily, the main, biggest reason why more women don't get "spayed" is because insurance companies and doctors have issues with sterilizing young healthy women. You might change your mind and want kids someday and they don't want to get sued. As a woman, you're expected to want kids. Ha!

I'm not going to enter the clawed/declawed debate because everyone has their reasons for what they do.

As for the kid who was maiming mice to protect his snakes, he should have been shown how to bop them or use another technique for stunning mice.

 

[ghosthousecorns]

I don't have the user title 'opinionated one' for nothing. I decided to respond to a post that just seemed rather callous to me. I apologise if this offended anybody.

 

[Taceas]

I have 3 cats, none declawed. They go out during the day and in at night. I live far enough away from traffic that I can enjoy this luxury. And even at our old house with a state highway out front, they always spent the bulk of their time out back in the old barns and pasture. Their claws are trimmed down to nubbins weekly and have a nice big scratching post in the living room to pick at.

I hate to see cats declawed, as it seems to be a very selfish procedure done for the human's benefit. To me, its akin to de-barking dogs. If you don't want it to bark, don't get a dog. If you don't want cats clawing your furniture, don't get a cat. Very simple.

Contrary to popular belief, cats can be discouraged from doing things for the most part. A squirt bottle of water goes a loooong way. I leave mine out on the coffee table for all to see and they are very good to the furniture most of the time.

Now sure, every once in a while when they're all frisky and feeling playful, someone will pick the chair, its unavoidable, cats will be cats. But making sure to have a good quality scratching post and the water bottle helps immensely.

Most declawing is done by removing the first joint of their toes. How would you like to go around with the first joint of your fingers removed? Like Traci said, I've seen quite a few permanently maimed because of the procedure. And like Jimmy, declawing so you don't have to beat them is a piss poor excuse, imho.

Sure there are many times I've threatened the cats with declawing for attacking the furniture, but generally its such a rare occurance it wouldn't even be practical. Mostly just idle threats. Although if the one doesn't stop scratching, I'm going to invest in some of those soft claw covers.

They're your cats, do with them what you wish. But to say its painless and is better for the cats is wholly incorrect from my standpoint.

I'm sure if I ever had too many kids, my husband would have himself neutered, they are his to mess with. It is a more simple procedure than for women. Although I wouldn't consider it "necessary". However, more than likely I'd just subsist on birth control pills if such a thing ever came around. Maybe I'm just lucky that I came pre-spayed.

 

[weaver]

I may very well be an idiot. Thinking I could post my opinion without being called names. Silly me.

 

[JM :o)]

I’ve found myself with some free time~ unusual lately~ so I think I’ll post some thoughts on this.

Everyone who is comparing the spaying or neutering of your pet to yourself or your spouse are pursuing a flawed argument. Some women may be have an experience similar to a “spay” IF they have had a TOTAL hysterectomy. A tubal ligation (SP?) is NOT the same. I certainly hope none of you have had your men neutered~ or they are missing a particularly favorite part of the anatomy…....permanently. A Neuter REMOVES the testes~ what your having done to your spouses is to have the “vas….something or other I can’t recall” snipped~ this leaves the majority of the organs and hormones associated there with in tact and functioning. A spay or neuter is a completely different operation~ and I’m very sure it hurts~ A LOT.

Am I suggesting you have your husband actually neutered? No~ but if you try it~ please be sure to leave an escape route for yourself once you’ve explained the ENTIRE plan to dear old hubby.

Am I suggesting you have your cats “tubes” tide~ or your dog get a vasectomy? No~ it would be very expensive and unnecessary~ AND you cat would still FEEL sexually capable~ therefore he would be more likely to be “tomcatting” around and marking up (SPRAYING) your house (there~ I hadn’t thought of that very good reason to have the hubby nuetured~ take care of that “tomcatting” and “marking” business now wouldn’t it?).

Am I suggesting you don’t spay or neuter your cat? Absolutely not! SPAY!! NEUTER!! PLEASE!!!! Go to any shelter in any town and ask how many unwanted cats/dogs they have to “dispose” of a week~ and then get his nads clipped off!!!!!

What I’m suggesting is how hypocritical it is to announce that neutering does not alter the cat to fit your lifestyle or cause the cat any pain~ but that declawing does. BOTH do.

I have two cats. One declawed, one not. Why didn’t I declaw the second cat? Because I sometimes feel sorry for my old Buzz (Declawed AND NEUTERED 12 year old Tom cat) that he can’t go outside. It’s a lot of work for me to keep him in the house~ But I have too. I made the choice to have him declawed~ and I know the cat~ he would promptly go out and start a fight~ and get himself killed. So he can’t go out. I didn’t declaw our most recent addition DC (2 year old SPAYED female, not allowed to go outside cuz Buzz can’t go outside, but IF she gets out I don’t worry as much). The same day I got DC (from the Pound) I got another female kitten. The second kitten died~ the vet said it was complications from the spay (something about nasty virus’s at the pound and invasive surgery).

But I’m not sorry I had Buzz declawed. I’m sure it hurt. I’m sure having his testicles cut completely off his body hurt too. I had them both done at the same time. EVERYDAY of the 12 years that cat has lived with me he has sharpened his non-existent claws on my furniture~ and backed up to Mark (SPRAY) my furniture with his tail wagging madly. And EVERYDAY of the 12 years that cat has lived with me (since his declaw and neuter) I have told that cat “Your damn lucky your neutered and declawed!”

If Buzz was not declawed~ I doubt I could have talked my husband into letting me take that cat literally all around the nation (including to Alaska) with us every time we moved.

Sometimes a declawed pet is the only way for the cat to BE a pet. And ALWAYS a neutered cat is a better pet. Both hurt the cat for a few weeks. Both make him a better member of the family.

 

[Billybobob]

:-offtopic

I may very well be an idiot. Thinking I could post my opinion without being called names. Silly me.

Weaver, calm down. I just read over the thread and no one has called you an idiot. Yes people have posted views that are different from yours but no one has started any name calling. You should re-read the post before jumping to conclusions.

As for the original post, the kid was 14 years old and most likely did not know any better. He most likely thought that he was protecting his snake and was not worried about the pain that he would be causing the mouse.

He deserves to have his fingers and toes hacked off, teeth ripped out and be fed to some hungry cougars...

Posts like this one are a little harsh considering that the boy was just 14 years old. I know that when I was that age I did things that were much worse and for reasons that did not even come close to trying to protect a snake. This was not an attack on princess. This was just to point out something that i thought was a little extream.