Animals have been a part of human history for the entirety of mankind. However, the responsibility of canines have evolved. In the past, dogs have acted as partners in hunting, mere utilities. In modern times, dogs serve a different purpose; dogs now act as a member of the family, even a child. In “When did Crating Your Dog Become Illegal?” author Alex Ballingall effectively explains two very different sides; some believe dogs shouldn’t even be put on a leash, but others are okay with leaving their animals on a chain for hours on end.
In recent years, activists have become more sensitive about the “rights of animals” and what is or is not “animal cruelty” (Ballingall). Many people have pets in place of children; therefore, these people often treat their pets as they would treat a child. This caused a wave of regulations and laws being passed about animal abuse. Although, some of the regulations are necessary, a few are simply unreasonable. Animal rights activists are trying to achieve goals such as banning crating a dog. Kenneling dogs at night is common practice for families; this is to either keep the dogs from either running of or from being harmed by cars. Consequently, animal rights organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recommend pets like dogs should live inside like an actual member of the family. One of the biggest problems of animal cruelty is the misunderstanding of the public. The needs of animals are different depending on not only the type of animal but also the breed.
In today’s society there is a very fine line between “pet abuse” and treating a pet like an animal. Ballingall puts it perfectly when he says, “Over the years, the boundary between animal cruelty and kindness has moved, and some of us didn't even notice.” (Ballingall par. 5)The boundary he is referring to is one that has caused many arguments in recent years. People are booking their dog’s massages, buying them designer clothes, and feeding them food that is more expensive than most humans eat. While some people can afford and wish to spend their money like that on their animal, some can not. The problem with this is that the people treating their animals like royalty are convinced that people that don’t serve their dogs on a silver platter are abusing their animals.
Yet another aspect of this tricky issue is different ideas of what pets need to be happy and healthy. According to Ryan Huling, senior campaign coordinator for PETA, "An animal left outside in a backyard is really a ticking time bomb" he continues to say "It's not safe for anyone nearby” (Huling par. 4). I live about 15 miles outside of the city limits, and I own three Labrador retrievers; according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I am abusing my animals by keeping them outside. I, however, know that keeping my dogs outside with space to run and roam free is the best option for their health and happiness. My dogs are not a danger to any person that wishes to come onto my property. While some dogs may prefer living inside the house, my dogs hate the indoors. If I were to keep my animals confined to inside my house, they would be much more aggressive and dangerous to others.
Organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are pushing the regulations about keeping a dog outside to a whole new level. PETA is proposing that all dogs should live inside "with the rest of the family," and--like children--should only be allowed outside when supervised (Ballingall par. 5). This thought strikes me as extreme and ludicrous, as dogs lived in the wild by themselves, they are more than capable of staying in the backyard for a few hours unattended. People are forgetting that dogs are just that: dogs. Although these animals are “man’s best friend”, they aren’t people. In many cases dogs are part of the family, but they do not need to be supervised like a human child.
Dogs have been some form of “man’s best friend,” either in its role as a hunter, a friend, or a child. In For many people, dogs still serve as that hunter, but for some the dog is a child. These nearly polar opposite ideas have caused controversy. “When Did Crating Your Dog Become Illegal?” Alex Ballingall gives both sides of the argument on this important issue. Ballingall shows each of the opposing opinions and successfully explains the points on each side.
Works Cited
“The Beauty Advantage.” Newsweek, 26 July 2010, SIRS Researcher [OCLC],
In recent years, activists have become more sensitive about the “rights of animals” and what is or is not “animal cruelty” (Ballingall). Many people have pets in place of children; therefore, these people often treat their pets as they would treat a child. This caused a wave of regulations and laws being passed about animal abuse. Although, some of the regulations are necessary, a few are simply unreasonable. Animal rights activists are trying to achieve goals such as banning crating a dog. Kenneling dogs at night is common practice for families; this is to either keep the dogs from either running of or from being harmed by cars. Consequently, animal rights organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recommend pets like dogs should live inside like an actual member of the family. One of the biggest problems of animal cruelty is the misunderstanding of the public. The needs of animals are different depending on not only the type of animal but also the breed.
In today’s society there is a very fine line between “pet abuse” and treating a pet like an animal. Ballingall puts it perfectly when he says, “Over the years, the boundary between animal cruelty and kindness has moved, and some of us didn't even notice.” (Ballingall par. 5)The boundary he is referring to is one that has caused many arguments in recent years. People are booking their dog’s massages, buying them designer clothes, and feeding them food that is more expensive than most humans eat. While some people can afford and wish to spend their money like that on their animal, some can not. The problem with this is that the people treating their animals like royalty are convinced that people that don’t serve their dogs on a silver platter are abusing their animals.
Yet another aspect of this tricky issue is different ideas of what pets need to be happy and healthy. According to Ryan Huling, senior campaign coordinator for PETA, "An animal left outside in a backyard is really a ticking time bomb" he continues to say "It's not safe for anyone nearby” (Huling par. 4). I live about 15 miles outside of the city limits, and I own three Labrador retrievers; according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I am abusing my animals by keeping them outside. I, however, know that keeping my dogs outside with space to run and roam free is the best option for their health and happiness. My dogs are not a danger to any person that wishes to come onto my property. While some dogs may prefer living inside the house, my dogs hate the indoors. If I were to keep my animals confined to inside my house, they would be much more aggressive and dangerous to others.
Organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are pushing the regulations about keeping a dog outside to a whole new level. PETA is proposing that all dogs should live inside "with the rest of the family," and--like children--should only be allowed outside when supervised (Ballingall par. 5). This thought strikes me as extreme and ludicrous, as dogs lived in the wild by themselves, they are more than capable of staying in the backyard for a few hours unattended. People are forgetting that dogs are just that: dogs. Although these animals are “man’s best friend”, they aren’t people. In many cases dogs are part of the family, but they do not need to be supervised like a human child.
Dogs have been some form of “man’s best friend,” either in its role as a hunter, a friend, or a child. In For many people, dogs still serve as that hunter, but for some the dog is a child. These nearly polar opposite ideas have caused controversy. “When Did Crating Your Dog Become Illegal?” Alex Ballingall gives both sides of the argument on this important issue. Ballingall shows each of the opposing opinions and successfully explains the points on each side.
Works Cited
“The Beauty Advantage.” Newsweek, 26 July 2010, SIRS Researcher [OCLC],