Dog Days

The Ghost of Scruffy's Law has been resurrected and is arousing more frighteningly stupid initiatives from the state of Kansas.

The abuse of a puppy in Wichita has renewed interest in legislation that would make intentional animal cruelty a felony in Kansas. A similar push was made after the 1997 torture of a dog named Scruffy. A tape of that abuse was sent to Kansas City, Kan., police.

The poor pooch who has inspired vengeance against the criminally stupid is named Magnum and here the dog's story:

The puppy, known as Magnum, was found this month in a Wichita recycling bin suffering chemical burns on much of his body, bound with wire and with one paw stuck in its mouth. The puppy died shortly after being taken to a specialty clinic in Overland Park for around-the-clock care.

Call it cruel but to me it reads like an exotic barbecue recipe.

I love (the way) animals (taste). But the reasoning behind tougher penalties for animal cruelty is stupid.

"Revelations that BTK serial killer Dennis Rader, as a child, strangled dogs and cats added fuel to the new push."

"We know that some of the people involved in these activities are also involved in activities that harm people later in life, said Sen. Carolyn McGinn of Sedgwick.

That sounds fair. A person is mentally disturbed so it's wise charge them with a felony and lock them up with hardcore criminals because their victims are cute and cuddly? Forget therapy, if you can pet the victim of the crime then there should be no mercy for the offender. Talk about inhumane. Someone hurts a pet and you'd much rather turn them into a convict rather than offer counseling?

Animals are edible; the only talk about saving them that I want to hear should regard freezer burn. I know it's hard to teach humans new tricks but sticking up for dogs over (even flawed) people isn't kind, it's insulting.

Now I know that animal lovers might find my position hurtful but if you really want to talk about it I'd be glad to convince you over a freshly tenderized and thoroughly cooked Korean meal. The odds are good that it's not a kitten . . . I think they use puppy.