Animal cruelty: a gateway to violent crime?

Starved dog

The recent arrest of Interpol fugitive Luka Magnotta served as a rude reminder that animal cruelty is not a crime to be taken lightly. Magnotta was arrested in Germany for murdering, mutilating and cannibalizing a young man in Montreal, Canada. Magnotta recorded video of the murder, then posted it on the Internet. For two years prior, animal activists had been searching for a young man who had posted videos of himself online, torturing and killing cats. Montreal law enforcement has since identified the animal abuser as Magnotta. The link between animal cruelty and violent Continue reading …

Spirited cat wins heart of lonely Air Force veteran

Harry and Ed

A previously abused, but spirited cat finds his way into the heart and home of a lonely Air Force veteran. Not exactly a scene from When Harry Met Sally, but more like When Harry Met... Ed. Pets for Patriots member Ed was easily won over by Harry, a spirited Maine Coon, during their first meeting. Harry, on the other hand, took a little longer to come around. But in a patient and loving environment, the Air Force veteran who had served in Vietnam and elsewhere internationally, soon became the world to the homeless feline. Air Force veteran meets scaredy cat The veteran and his daughter Continue reading …

Marine veteran finds two-pound dog worth her weight in gold

Karen and Chloe

For one Marine veteran, a scrappy little puppy mill dog destined for death was worth saving – and worth her weight in gold. Chloe, a seven year-old Chihuahua, has truly been through the mill. The two-pound dog was abandoned after doing time in a puppy mill, her reproductive organs over used, worn out and infected. She was a pitiful sight when Karen, a U.S. Marine veteran, noticed the rag-tag dog at the Lake City Columbia County Humane Society in Lake City, Florida. “She was so timid and fragile; she looked scared to death,” recalls Karen, who was stationed at Marine Corps Base Continue reading …

PTSD veteran saved by once-abused one-eyed dog

Matthew and Eli

For one veteran coping with PTSD and depression, his saving grace came in the form of a one-eyed dog who had been previously abused. This is his story, in his own words. *** My name is Matthew Goschke; I'm born and raised in Rochester, New York. I've lived here my whole life besides my experiences with the military. I currently run security for the City of Rochester, loss prevention for The Home Depot and am pursuing my paramedic degree. After my military service I found integrating back into civilian life a lot more difficult then I had anticipated. Light at the end of a "very dark" Continue reading …

11 signs of animal cruelty and how you can help

starving dog

Animal cruelty is not only abhorrent in its own right, but is often tied to other offenses, including violence against adults and children.  Black’ s Law Dictionary defines cruelty to animals as: “The infliction of physical pain, suffering, or death upon an animal, when not necessary for purposes of training or discipline or (in the case of death) to procure food or to release the animal from incurable suffering, but done wantonly, for mere sport, for the indulgence of a cruel and vindictive temper, or with reckless indifference to its pain.”  Save animals from needless suffering Continue reading …

Is breed-specific legislation for on-base pet owners way off-base?

Pittie white and brown

Breed-specific legislation affecting military pet owners can have serious consequences for dogs targeted by these laws. Dogs wreaking havoc on a neighborhood is a real and serious issue for some communities across the country. In response, lawmakers have enacted Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), more commonly known as “breed bans,” which effectively outlaw certain types of dogs. BSL originated in the 1980s, with pit bulls as the primary target. As the result of serious and even occasionally fatal dog attacks, BSL swept the nation, infiltrating communities that felt compelled to Continue reading …

“Pathetic-looking” rescue dog saves disabled veteran from depression

Frank and Gus

When depression took its toll on a disabled Vietnam veteran whose dog had just died, he knew it was time to save another last-chance rescue dog. In the process, he saved himself. Born in Chicago, Frank was a toddler when his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1973, he relocated to San Diego, a place where he loves to live and volunteer. In 1974, Frank joined the Navy reserves as a cryptology and radar specialist. He spent 20 months on an aircraft carrier off the Vietnam coast and the remainder of his enlistment as assistant to an admiral in Miramar, California. “I never Continue reading …

Open letter to the people of Japan from a U.S. veteran

bobby and red

This letter is written and shared by Bobby, an Army veteran who honorably adopted her dog Red through Pets for Patriots. When I see the absolute devastation and destruction in Japan, my emotions go to a level that is difficult for me to approach. Seeing the horrors that the people encountered first in the earthquake, and then the tsunami, would put fear in one's mind beyond conceivable reality. For anyone to know or not know that they might have lost a mother, father, wife, child, relative or a friend - and then be confronted with the possibility of a nuclear meltdown - would clearly push a Continue reading …

Demand the maximum penalty

baltimore-attorney-general

Violence against animals is never tolerable, even when committed by teens. These two trapped and set a mothering cat on fire. The animal was defenseless and often we feel helpless, too, but we're not. You can write or call the Baltimore City state attorney general's office to demand the maximum penalty for these vicious criminals. Yes, that's what they are, and they need to understand in no uncertain terms that what they did is unacceptable in a civil society. Thanks to Operation Home to Heroes for sending us the attorney general's contact information after reading our tweet about this Continue reading …

Happy ending to Davey’s not-so-excellent adventure

davey

  It's been nearly two weeks since Davey was adopted and then, without warning, took off into the North Carolina woods near Camp Lejeune. I'm thrilled to report that as of last night, Davey is back home with his new family! Continue reading …

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