Dear
Your position as a member of [insert appropriate group name here] places you in a very
unique stance. As you are aware, your responsibilities bring with them
the power to facilitate change. Given that you have this ability, I
would like to take this opportunity to bring to your attention an
important issue.
Texas has already shown its responsibility in the matter of animal
cruelty by enacting anti cruelty statutes. However, these statutes often
are not enough to protect the animals who serve us. Since the beginning
of time, animals have served as our companions, our helpers, our
protectors, and our food and clothing, while asking absolutely nothing
in return. The least we owe these creatures is that we see to their well
being and protect them from harm. While the current anti cruelty
statutes have accomplished a great deal in securing safety for some
animals, other animals are being harmed by cruel breeding practices
which are sanctioned under current state law.
One example of such animals who receive no protection under current anti
cruelty statutes exists in your own state - the cats born and raised at
the Karma Kats Farm in Marshall, Texas. Specifically, the farm breed
cats for a physical deformity that causes most or all of the front limbs
to be missing or otherwise deformed. These cats cannot enjoy a normal
existence. Unlike their healthy feline comrades, they cannot run, jump,
play, or even walk without difficulty. To doom these animals to this
type of life before they even are born, and to do this merely in the
name of creating a unique and unusual animal is nothing short of
cruelty. In addition, the owner of the farm feels absolutely no remorse
for dooming these creatures to a sub-prime existence. In fact, she has
even created a web page boasting of her "accomplishments" in breeding -
on this page, she even exhibits disturbing photos of the limbless cats.
The example above illustrates that legislation needs to be enacted to
discourage breeders from breeding for deformities which reduce the
quality of life for the animals which result. Such legislation would not
unduly restrict a responsible breeder in their trade; instead,
irresponsible breeders who give no thought to the welfare of the animals
they produce, such as the owner of the Karma Kats Farm, would be forced
to either reevaluate their breeding practices and change for the better
or to shut down completely.
While legislation is not a magic cure-all, it can at least serve as a
guide for citizens to act properly or as a determent to those who do
not. As I stated earlier, the current anti cruelty legislation has done
well in protecting animals from those who act to harm them. Current law,
however, does sanction animal cruelty in breeding practices as described
earlier. Please consider supporting an addendum to current law which
will help stop unscrupulous breeders from inflicting cruelty on their
animals and escaping without punishment. Thank you very much for your
time.
Sincerely,