June, I just had to share one of the stories I have about animal abuse. I am on the board of ACES for animal control. The other day we were meeting and discussing recent cases of abuse. I told them a story ... my at the time 9 year old daughter Austin Marie was taking her dog outside to go potty, she noticed at dog at large running towards her so she took her dog in the house and grabbed the phone to call me. I am a Community safety officer for the police. She was back outside when I got the call from her. I could tell something horrible was wrong. She was frantic and I couldn't understand a word she was saying to me. I calmed her down and had her explain slowly. She told me about the dog running loose, then she noticed his owner. The dog came into our yard and the owner was yelling at him to "come." The dog wouldn't listen. So the owner came over grabbed the dog by the scruff and was punching and kicking the dog all the while scruffing him and carrying him out of our yard, his feet not even touching the ground. Austin was so upset by this that she screamed to this grown man, "STOP KICKING HIM DON'T DO THAT!" He tells her, "to mind her own business." She then says, "IM CALLING MY MOM SHE IS A POLICE OFFICER AND YOUR GONNA BE ARRESTED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE." With phone in hand she has an argument with a grown man and wins! After hearing that, the man then leashes his dog and runs out of the park. A description was taken and the man hasn't been back! My point is this.... LET'S ALL TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT AT A YOUNG AGE. My children have been taught young and see how powerful of a statement they make! Thank you, Candi Gerritson [Posted in FML issue 3305]