People are almost always sad, and sometimes outraged, whenever something awful happens to a fellow human being.
But if you really want to see folks worked up, tell them that someone has been mean to a dog.
Since the news broke some weeks ago that dozens of canines may not have been properly looked after at the South Side Dogs kennel in Worcester, we've received several requests for owner Frank M. Popolizio to be strung up on the nearest tree.
At the very least, some wrote, he should be starved like the dogs taken from his care allegedly were.
Fortunately, no lynch mobs were actually organized, and the rule of law has prevailed.
On Thursday, Popolizio, 65, of Schenectady, was charged with 49 counts of animal abuse. His farm manager, Corrinne A. Kindt, 26, of Central Bridge, was charged with seven counts of animal abuse.
Animal abuse is a class A misdemeanor under the state Agriculture and Markets law, with the maximum penalty on each count being a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
About 45 dogs were taken by the state police and local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals before the arrests and were being cared for by the SPCA and Oneonta veterinarian Joan Puritz.
We were gratified that the dogs in most need of care were getting it from Puritz, who has shown over the years not only outstanding skills, but genuine compassion for animals of all kinds.
About 50 dogs remain at the facility on the farm, which also breeds dogs for sale. In addition to the dogs, there were an unspecified number of cows and horses at the location.
Whether crimes were committed is for a jury to decide. But the court of public opinion has already determined that several dogs shown in Daily Star photos looked particularly skinny.
The investigators apparently agreed. Popolizio and Kindt were arraigned in Worcester Town Court on Thursday and are to return March 6.
Popolizio was released on $9,800 bail, and Kindt was released on $1,400 bail.
In a separate action, the kennel failed a Jan. 6 state Agriculture and Markets inspection and was given 30 days to correct the deficiencies.
With so much human suffering going on in the world, are we making too big a deal over some skinny canines?
The easy answer to that question is "no." The Humane Society of the United States says that those who abuse animals are very likely to be violent to other people _ even their own families.
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal ..." It says that in Proverbs 12:10. We believe it, too.
Opinion
A sad tale may come to an end with arrests
- Opinion
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In Memoriam
This message appears each Memorial Day weekend in The Daily Star.
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Letters to the Editor: May 26, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 25, 2012
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Facebook’s IPO last week was supposed to be a moment of triumph for the social network, but the event quickly devolved into an ugly tale of duplicity, hubris and greed, as the stock lost 18 percent of its value in the first two days of trading.
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Letters to the Editor: May 24, 2012
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Heegan must show vision for Chamber
In selecting Barbara Ann Heegan as its executive director last week, the Otsego County Chamber would seem to have chosen a safe rather than a bold path for its immediate future.
- Wednesday, May 23, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 23, 2012
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Can't have a third party without a candidate
What if they gave a party ... and nobody came?
- Tuesday, May 22, 2012
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Cheers
To Bike to Work Day, Cooperstown Quiz Team, Arts Field Day, the SUNY Delhi Centennial.
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Letters to the Editor: May 22, 2012
- Monday, May 21, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 21, 2012
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The world does move
To look at a newspaper from 1912, 1937, 1962 or 1987, it can seem as though positively everything has changed.
- Saturday, May 19, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 19, 2012
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Graduates, take acquired skills, set sail on job voyage
This weekend, many colleges and universities -- including SUNY Delhi and SUNY Oneonta -- will bestow degrees of various levels and types upon their students.
- Friday, May 18, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 18, 2012
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'Whale' failure shows how little has changed
One positive development resulting from JPMorgan's recent $2 billion trading blunder is increased scrutiny of the regulations put in place since 2008 to prevent a repeat of that year's financial collapse.
- Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Taxes spoke louder than sentiment in voting
It has become a virtually immutable fact of modern-day industry and politics. Given the choice between financial interest and sentiment, money always wins.
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Letters to the Editor: May 17, 2012
- Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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Letters to the Editor: May 16, 2012
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Gas companies need to play nice with residents
"You need to assure me that you are going to talk to the towns." This was Rep. Chris Gibson's plea to the gas companies that are seeking to lay natural gas pipelines through the local area.
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In Memoriam
