VanLoo, Katie. “Dog Neglect and Abuse in Eugene.” University of Oregon Sites, University of Oregon, blogs.uoregon.edu/kativf13gateway/timeline/.

“Dogfighting Fact Sheet.” The Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/facts/dogfighting_fact_sheet.html?credit=web_id98058733.

“Animal Hoarding Facts.” Animal Legal Defense Fund, aldf.org/resources/when-you-witness-animal-cruelty/animal-hoarding-facts/.

I chose this as my point of view because from the research I have done, I have seen how terrible animal abuse is, and I have become interested in this topic. I have learned that animal cruelty doesn’t have to be directly physical, but can result from people hoarding and neglecting their pets.

Can’t stand 

Can’t feel my feet, can’t feel these wings

Can’t lift myself up to see the sky

Feeling lifeless, wanting to die

Don’t know anything beyond these cooped walls

Haven’t been past this contaminated air

Feathers fly, dust sits

Friends grow sick

One pill, one shot 

Two pill, two shot

Growing more and more as the days go by

Hunger has grown, but feed has lessened

A fight to be the first meal

As night falls, the shadows strike

Taking friend by friend

Thrown to the blade

That puts you on a plate

Grabbed by dainty toes

Couldn’t catch up in those few weeks

The discombobulation of it all

As I grow weak, my body grows bigger

Constant plague goes unnoticed from the crowds

Engulfed in identical figures

My lungs grow dirtier than the pipes that keep me alive

As the shadow surrounds my tender self

I feel weightless until the fear had set in

Surrounded by peers, all headed to the same fate

This life has been cruel for the weeks it has been

And no children of mine will be entering into it

Charlie is an old dog, one who’s the dogs can sense fear so be calm I love catsseen some things that most dogs can't dream of in their worst nightmares. Charlie used to live in Detroit with a lower class family making minimum wage, he was a gift to the youngest child James Turner for his 11th birthday. James’ parents didn't know much about dogs or the extra costs and requirements Charlie would need. German shepherds also grow really fast and need a lot of food, and so when Charlie began to eat more and more James parents couldn't afford to get Charlie anymore food, and by his first year living with the Turners, Charlie had begun to starve. He got scraps and leftovers, but never a proper meal. Charlie began to get weak and boney. However even though Charlie was always hungry and weak, he was still always wagging his tail and enjoying every second of play time with James. He loved that boy just as much as James loved him, but hunger would eventually get the best of Charlie after 5 years. One day he passed out playing fetch. James’ father, Tom, suggested burying Charlie, even though he wasn't dead. Tom was a cheap drunk and the only reason he even got the dog in the first place was because his wife wanted James to be happy. He never expected the “mutt” to be such an annoyance. James immediately rejected this while screaming, “He's still breathing, you drunk”. Tom smacked James and told him to watch his mouth. James rebutted by begging his father to buy some real dog food or Charlie might die. Tom didn't like spending money on anything besides liquor but he also didn't want to have to hear more screaming. Tom tossed James a 20 and told him to “feed his mutt”. James bought some food and Charlie woke up. With everything getting better James was happy again, not for long though. For James 16th birthday, his mother had gotten everything ready and had asked Tom to go get the cake, he came back the next day hungover and still drinking. Tom never got the cake and instead spent the night at the bar. James’ mom couldn’t take it anymore and slapped Tom. Tom didn't like this and simply said, “You started it and I'm going to finish it.” That night Tom was in a drunken rage, beat his wife unconscious, then bored with that he moved down the line, and broke his son's nose. Charlie couldn't just sit and watch, so he jumped at Tom. Now German Shepherds are famously vicious attack dogs, but Charlie was weak and skinny, so he couldn't do much. Tom broke one of his back legs and some of his ribs. The next day, Tom packed up his family and left Detroit. He hasn't paid rent in 3 months and was getting evicted. Charlie was left behind unable to move and left for dead. 2 days later the landlord sent his son to evict the Turners and was surprised to find out they had evicted themselves. He looked around the house to see if they left anything behind. He was about to leave when he heard a noise from the bathroom. He opened the door to find Charlie scared, bruised and whimpering for help. He took Charlie to an animal hospital and they saved his life. Charlie now lives in an animal shelter, forever indebted to the man that saved his life. Max Huntley, the landlord's son, saved Charlie’s life and gave him to chance to live another day.

Millions of animal species live on earth, all of whom are unique in their own ways. No two animals are exactly alike, and the relationship between predator and prey is one that has existed throughout history. But, humans have been able to take advantage of other species and raise them into a horrible life that is destined to end when they get fat enough to eat. Humans have also found that testing medical products on animals works to find vaccines for some illnesses, as well as help make major breakthroughs in finding cures for certain illnesses. People use animals in testing because they had the ability to capture them, and many believe that animals do not think and have less feeling and emotion than humans. Because of the unethical and cruel nature of raising livestock and medical testing on animals, animals should gain more rights in order to be treated respectfully.

Mistreatment of animals and physically beating animals is a problem that can seriously harm an animal and can eventually cause death. Physical abuse of animals is usually subjected towards dogs, cats, and livestock (cows, chickens). These cases are often in result of abusive behavior and rage from the owner, and taking their anger out upon their pets. Some also find this behavior fun to them, as it gives them a sense of power and status above their pets. Organized abuse, such as dog fighting and cockfights, are a large issue regarding animal rights as well. Large groups illegally fight their pets for wages and fun. It is torturous for the animals, and is something that even affects people very negatively. Disagreements in this type of contest have caused dozens of homicides, according to Human Society. Animal abuse does not have to be in a physical form though, as sometimes animals may suffer due to an owner’s hoarding of pets. Animals are often forgotten about and don’t receive even the most basic of necessities, such as food, water, and an adequate environment to live in. This suffering can last for years, and the American Legal Defense Fund has estimated that around 250,000 animals are subject to this treatment each year. Animals affected by this issue often come eventually to be very dirty sue to the exposure to waste, such as garbage, urine, and poop. 

Animal testing has been going on since ancient Greece, starting with Aristotle. For the most part, animals have been tested on for medical benefits, and used to test vaccines and medical products. According to a study on Procon.com, every major medical discovery from the last century has been a result of animal testing. Discoveries like the polio vaccine and insulin have been results of animal testing. However with animal life at stake we are not being responsible and respecting their rights. We can use science and other types of testing that don't involve animals, to see how they will react. Therefore animal testing violates rights that animals should have, they feel and have pain just like people. It's not fair to treat them like lesser, and take advantage of them.

Overall animals should gain more rights in order to be treated respectfully, because of cruel treatment and disrespect towards animal life. Animals deserve all the love they give to us, and they have done nothing to deserve poor treatment and cruel practices. That is why animals need rights, so we can learn to respect their lives.