Originally published on August 14, 2014, at ForceChange.com

Target: Elio Di Rupo, Prime Minister of Belgium

Goal: Create stronger laws to deter animal cruelty in Belgium

Instead of enforcing laws with tough sentences against purveyors of animal cruelty, the Belgian government chooses to turn a blind eye to animal abuse. Ignoring the problem will not make violence against animals simply disappear. The Belgian government must create and enforce laws protecting animals from physical abuse and mistreatment.

Numerous cases of malnourished, neglected, and abused animals have been reported with minimal punishment given to the perpetrators. Instead of deterring people who commit animal abuse, lenient sentences allow them to become repeat offenders with little to no consequence for their actions. Because these animals cannot stand up for themselves, they need us to protect them from harm.

People who mistreat horses and engage in dog fighting need to be incarcerated for their crimes. To prevent repeat offenders, animal abusers should be restricted from owning animals. By ignoring the issue, animal cruelty will continue across the planet. Only we can protect those that cannot protect themselves.

By signing the petition below you will help urge the Prime Minister of Belgium, Elio Di Rupo, to enforce stronger laws protecting animals and harsher sentences against purveyors of animal abuse and cruelty.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo,

Against our better nature, animal cruelty persists within society and cannot continue to be ignored. Although current law exists in your country against animal cruelty, lax punishments merely encourage perpetrators to commit repeat offenses against animals. Belgium needs to take a stronger stand against animal abuse to prevent increasing cases of cruelty.

To reduce incidents of torture, malnourishment, and neglect, enforce laws restricting convicted animal abusers of owning more animals. People convicted of beating or starving their horses have no respect for life. Paying a fine is not enough to deter a dog fighter from engaging in further brutality against canines.

People who commit these crimes against other people are incarcerated for years, sometimes decades. Animals deserve no less respect simply because our laws do not protect them in the same fashion. Ignoring animal cruelty only encourages abusive people to commit further aggression against animals. Show the world that Belgium will not tolerate such inhumane brutality.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Josh Henderson via Flickr