ANIMAL ABUSE: Look out for other signs of violence
ROCHELLE R. REGODON, Kuala Lumpur
NST, 3 Nov 2005

THE authorities should throw the book at the man accused of neglecting his dog so severely that it had to be put down ("Just punishment is two-year jail term, RM10,000 fine", NST, Oct 18). Those who commit crimes of "omission" or neglect show a callous indifference to life that may lead them to harm people.

One example is Charles Cullen, a nurse accused of killing up to 40 patients. Cullen was known to have left his dog chained up outside in all weather extremes.

In Indiana, the United States, four people were charged with felonies after neglecting 21 sick dogs and three children who lived in the home.

Cases like these have spurred some localities to pass laws requiring animal control officers to report child abuse.

For the safety of animals and humans, communities should aggressively penalize animal abusers, examine families for signs of violence and require intensive counseling for perpetrators.