Animal cruelty deserves harsh reprimand

Commentary by Mac Olsen

Reading the report about Darcy McKenzie’s horse Bud being savagely attacked on Aug. 2 makes me wonder if vigilantism is not appropriate for the perpetrator(s) of this heinous crime! McKenzie, who lives in Whitefish, had to have his horse euthanized because its right rear leg was so badly cut up. Veterinarians did what they could to fix the leg, but the animal succumbed to its injuries. What drives someone to do this? Are they mentally ill? As children, were they forced to watch acts of animal cruelty and told it was all right for them to do it? Are they possessed by some satanic cult that requires them to make animal sacrifices or commit acts of cruelty? They obviously derive some kind of sick and twisted pleasure from it! But in a case like this, while I do not condone vigilantism, I would not exactly shed crocodile tears for the perpetrator(s) if they themselves were savagely beaten for what they did. However, even if caught and convicted, the perpetrator(s) will likely receive only an insignificant punishment. This is not the first horse tragedy in Alberta this year. Volunteers with the Alberta Animal Rescue Society found starving horses in a field while patrolling near Rocky Mountain House on the weekend of March 15-16. The RCMP said officials seized eight starving horses, three of which were pregnant and one was more than 300 pounds underweight. Five other horses were found dead. I also know of another horse tragedy. Years ago in 100 Mile House, British Columbia, a couple savagely beat a horse. Then they bragged about it to a reporter, who did a story about it and they were charged. The reporter testified in court and they were convicted, although they only received about 18 months of probation for it. I have come across such animal cruelty in my own journalistic experiences. While working in Thompson, Manitoba in 2004, I wrote about a break-in at a rehabilitation building for animals at the Thompson Zoo. It turned out a youth broke the wings and neck of a little bird. Unfortunately, the bird to be euthanized and the youth received only a “slap on the wrist” for his crime. So, you’ll have to excuse me if I seem to harbour some ill will towards the justice system in cases like these. The justice system should impose much harsher sentences against those who commit these barbaric acts. For instance, those responsible for the cruelty against Darcy McKenzie’s horse should be given a 10-year sentence in jail at a minimum – with no possibility of probation. They should also be made to enrol in psychiatric counselling and participate in programs with youth to discuss what they did. Hopefully, these things would bring home to the perpetrator(s) the sense of guilt and disgust of their acts. Some people will shrug their shoulders and laugh about tragedies like these, but how would they feel if it were done to them or their loved ones? Sensitivity and empathy are required for all humans and animals subjected to acts of cruelty, whatever form it takes. So, if you see an act of animal cruelty or hear rumours of it, please contact the nearest RCMP detachment or animal advocacy organization and report it. Those who cannot speak for themselves need your help.

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