Why Responsible Pet Owners Get Their Pets Spayed or Neutered

By Anna Graham
4/13/2017

Homeless Puppy

Starving. Freezing. Sick. Homeless. Alone. That is the life of millions of stray cats and dogs in America. In fact, there are so many strays in the United States that the true number is unknown. What is known, according to the American Humane organization, is that anywhere from 6 to 8 million pets are admitted to animal shelters nationwide every year. Out that truly vast number, only about half of those cats and dogs find a secure loving home. The unlucky ones, approximately 3.7 million, are euthanized annually.

This knowledge is heartbreaking and incredibly overwhelming. With there being so many stray pets in need of homes, how on earth do Americans ensure that every single one receives the care they deserve? The solution is for pet owners to have their pets spayed or neutered.

Spaying or neutering a pet is the surgical procedure of sterilizing the animal. If all pet owners were to have their beloved animal friends altered, they would ensure that their pet is not contributing to the massive pet overpopulation.

With such an easy solution available, then why are there still so many homeless animals in America? The reason is that many pet owners never have their pets altered because they falsely believe in misconceptions about the procedure.

One of the most common misconceptions about spaying or neutering a pet is that it is unaffordable. Yet, there is no need for altering a pet to be an economical concern for pet owners since most states have established low cost spay/neuter programs to aid in curbing pet overpopulation.

Another misconception is that altering causes pets to have health issues. In reality the opposite is true. Reported by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, getting a pet altered actually has many health benefits. Spaying a female pet helps prevent breast cancer and uterine infections.  For male pets, being neutered helps prevent testicular cancer and prostate enlargement.

For caring, responsible pet owners, having their pet spayed or neutered is the main way they can aid with the massive pet overpopulation and curb the immense number of homeless pets living sick and hungry on the streets or being euthanized in shelters.

Legal Loophole Lets Turner Dodge Rape Charges

By Kierstyn Kiser
4-13-2017

Brock Turner, 20 years old, faces a mere six-month jail sentence and a three-year probationary period for sexually assaulting an unconscious woman. A loophole in the definition of “rape” allowed Turner to be charged with sexual assault instead of rape. If he was rightly charged with rape, Turner would face at least 5-8 years in prison.

Turner, a former swimmer for Stanford University, sexually assaulted an unconscious woman outside of a fraternity party. The woman was intoxicated and passed out behind a dumpster. Turner reportedly penetrated the woman with a foreign object, which many think should label him as a rapist, yet DNA tests show no penile penetration. That, for some reason, does not count as rape. Although 25 states, as well as the FBI, define rape as, “penetration, no matter how slight… with any body part or object, or the oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim”, California’s definition is not nearly as inclusive.

The Judge’s ruling claims that, since the victim was penetrated by a foreign object, Turner is not a rapist. He is merely a sex offender. This is ridiculous. Cristina Garcia, who holds the Vice-Chair for the Women’s Caucus, voiced the thoughts of many in a statement released on Monday with, “Sexual penetration without consent is rape. It is never invited, wanted, or warranted. Rape is rape, period. We found a loophole in California’s criminal code and need to fix it to send a strong message that we do not accept rape in California.”

Some may think the victim was asking for trouble by being passed out behind a dumpster. While the choices that lead her there were not the best, she was not asking to be assaulted. Turner could have seen the woman and carried her to safety. Turner’s actions were his, and he should be held responsible for them.  How can we prevent this act of injustice in the future? We must teach today’s youth to treat each other with honor, respect, and dignity. We must show zero tolerance for sexual harassment, assault, and rape. We must punish those who attack others severely. We must hold accountable those who commit these crimes of depravity.