The power of video to stop the horrors of animal abuse
After carefully studying a disturbing video of animal cruelty taken in Greece last Sunday at a restaurant on the island of Evia, I am troubled that inexcusable incidents like this continue to demonstrate the dark side of humanimals, who for some perverse reason, think they are entitled to treat animals like objects and do as they wish with them.
Animals are living, breathing beings, who necessitate stewardship, not harm.
This time, the animal abuser engaged two cats in play on the outdoor deck of the restaurant and lured a young kitten with a piece of fish to come within his proximity.
None could have predicted this male patron's intention.
As the innocent, trusting sentient creature gets closer to obtain the piece of fish under the table, this mentally unbalanced individual kicks the kitten into the ocean.
The second black and white cat is also lured into harm's way, but sensing danger and noticing the other cat is no longer at the edge of the deck, retreats under a neighboring table.
A woman is heard laughing in the background.
There is absolutely nothing funny regarding animal abuse.
Instead, it is time for all witnesses to admonish this brute and demand his immediate arrest.
The report reveals that both cats belong to the restaurant's owner, who stated the young cat survived being kicked into the ocean's water and is now cared for by a local veterinarian.
The upsetting incident was shared on social media, stirring outrage and demands for leaders to take action. And that they did.
Greek Police Minister of Citizen Protection Takis Theodorikakos announced on Facebook that the abuser had been arrested Monday afternoon. He stated, “A little while ago, the Greek Police arrested a person who kicked and threw a kitten into the sea. Violence against animals is unacceptable. The government has passed strict laws to protect animals from abuse, which are now in place, but in any case, it is a matter of humanity and culture. I am deeply saddened by those who mistreat animals and those who tolerate it. I heartily congratulate those who raise the issue. The reason now belongs to the Greek justice.”
The video of the cat in Greece brought a stinging memory of an incident of animal abuse that occurred right here in Vacaville involving a police officer who was caught on video violently striking his K-9 partner.
Unlike the man in Greece who was arrested for animal abuse, this officer was not, and his forceful beating of his K-9 partner was swept under the rug.
Many of us do not forget and the telling video cannot be denied.
This still-unnamed officer filmed, furtively looked around to make sure there were no witnesses. While pinning his K-9 partner on his back, he then proceeded to repeatedly punch the defenseless animal's face with a closed fist.
The K-9 named Gus was being “trained” to serve on the force.
How is it, that this rogue officer was never disciplined or charged with animal abuse when the visual evidence was so overwhelmingly clear?
Why was his name never revealed to the public and is this unethical officer still with the force?
What was and is the protocol for K-9 training in Vacaville? Where is Gus today? Among the many questions remaining are those surrounding transparency and honesty in the Vacaville Police Department regarding the beating of Gus.