Educating against animal abuse

Over the course of the last year, several instances of animal cruelty cases have occurred in and around Baltimore.

Many of you may recall the young pit bull terrier that was doused with gasoline and set on fire in broad daylight in July 2009. The dog, subsequently named Phoenix, did not survive. Other instances of abuse are equally disturbing and alarming, including a dog found hanging from a fence in West Baltimore, a puppy beaten to death on a city golf course, and a litter of kittens pelted with rocks.

Reports of animals beaten and abused have become an almost weekly occurance on the local news stations. In many cases, the alleged abusers were children. As the proud parent of one of the craziest and most undisciplined dogs in Cockeysville, I wonder how we can stop the senseless abuse. In conjunction with the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and a number of other organizations, here is our oppoturnity to do something.

The HEART Foundation of New York, in conjunction with the ABA, is coming to Baltimore on Oct. 2 to do a humane education training seminar for lawyers and law students. Lawyers will then go to an elementary school to talk to 4th and 5th grade students about the importance of empathy and kindness to animals.

The training will be held at the University of Maryland School of Law – Room 108 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This is a cutting-edge public service program and HEART has done training seminars only in N.Y., Chicago and D.C.

If you are interested in participating in this public service project, please contact Meena Alagappan of the ABA-TIPS Animal Law Committee at alagappan.mee[email protected]. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required.