Should people be punished for abandoning their pets when moving?

Question

People are leaving pets to fend for themselves and many are dying that they are leaving behind in foreclosed houses. Buying those overpriced houses with teaser loans weren't the pets fault. These people should be held accountable for being so inhumane.

Answer 1

Yes, they should be punished.  Pets are as dependent and helpless as children.  When you take on the responsibility of a pet it is a lifetime commitment, or should be.  People who abandon pets need to be horse-whipped.  How would they like to be left with no food, water or shelter from the elements?  Makes my blood boil and I'm not even a "pet person."

Answer 2

Yes of course.  If you can't handle the responsibility don't buy a pet.  

Answer 3

I think they should be be left to rot in a prison without food and water

Answer 4

It is a criminal act in my state.  However, the punishment never fits the crime.

Answer 5

I can see why they leave them, but it would make more sense if they took it to a dog shelter and let someone take care of it until someone else owns it.

Answer 6

It's unfortunate, many people consider their pets to be little more than toys to be discarded when they no longer amuse them.

Domesticated animals cannot survive on their own, even in the wild survival is taught by the adults. A domestic dog does not "just know" how to hunt or kill or the situations that must be avoided . Leaving them to fend for themselves is a death sentence.

Answer 7

Yes they should. I cannot stand people who mistreat animals. They depend on us to take care of them. Abandoning them is almost always a death sentence for them.  

Answer 8

yes they should be punished,animals have feelings too. and for most of us pet owners. your pets become part of the family. its cruel.

Answer 9

Yes, I believe that if you decide that you want the responsibility of having a pet and you abandon that pet you should be punished.  It would be the same as leaving a child behind because you decided you didn't want it anymore.  Pets need you to care for them just like babies do.  

Answer 10

It is so wrong to leave a pet that you love or did love, that poor pet cant help what is going on for you to leave them. Bring them to a non killing shelter, or better yet find them a home with someone to take care of them and love them.When people just leave there pet they should get turned over to the asap.