Dear Mayor and Council,

I implore you all, please do something to alleviate the suffering of the many dogs in your jurisdiction. While my main concern is the welfare of abused and neglected animals, we must consider the people who keep their "pets" in inhumane conditions. To so obviously abuse an animal indicates a callousness and disregard for the welfare of others, be they canine or human. We cannot tolerate a citizenry that allows their dogs to be so mistreated that they become a threat to us all.

I have read the proposed legislation regarding yard dogs from AAS and wholeheartedly endorse their proposition. Until severe penalties exist for cruelty to animals, it seems the least we can do to end the suffering. Abused yard dogs are in everybody's neighbourhood. It's a very obvious problem, and I, for one, don't want to live in a city that allows or ignores blatant cruelty. It's time that animal abuse is considered a serious offence under the law. Please enact laws that reflect that.

Tracey Carlisle
Vancouver