Penalize animal abusers

Please send a message to these communities and beyond that it is NOT okay to abuse or neglect animals of any kind, in any way. It is not okay to be an irresponsible pet owner. It is not okay to starve animals. It is not okay to keep animals in a room with a lack of ventilation, make them desperate enough to drink moldy water, or make them stand and sleep in their own feces and urine. It is not okay to turn a blind eye and do nothing, and allow these atrocities to continue.

Please teach people that it IS okay to stand up for the rights of pets, and that people can and should be punished for inhumane conditions. A slap on the wrist, minor monetary fine, hours of community service, or days in jail is simply not enough punishment. A monetary fine will not teach people a moral lesson. It will not stop animal cruelty, abuse or neglect.

Please encourage decision makers to give her a lengthy sentence, and give her time to reflect on what she has done. Please do not give her the chance to own another animal. Please do not give her the chance to abuse another pet.

I urge you, along with other pet owners and lovers, to increase the sentence of Ms. Lester. Please consider our petition and signatures, and the severity of Ms. Lester's actions. Animals feel hunger, just the same as you and I. They feel desperation, just the same as you and I. The horses that ate their own feces - they weren't dumb; they were desperate. It was either live or die - and unfortunately, eight didn't make it.

Please help us give a voice to the animals. They cannot speak for themselves. We must speak for them.