What is wrong with people?

In the last 2 days I have seen at least 5 stories that were big enough to make it on the top U.S. stories on cnn.com. All of these stories had one thing in common-animal abuse. What is wrong with people? Why in this country, more so than any other, are animals needlessly abused? There are stories about an owner leaving her dog outside in below freezing temps that he actually froze to the cement. A dog being stabbed with a 10" knife. 110 animals being removed from farms in VT due to neglect. It goes on and on.

I will admit, animal cruelty is not the reason I became a vegetarian over 10 years ago, but it sure is a big factor as to why I still am. Animal abuse happens all over the world, but this country has come of the worst offenses of legal and illegal animal abuse. Our standards for animals fall far below that of much of the rest of the developed world. They are part of our throw away society and it is sickening. People getting a puppy b/c it is cute and then when they don't spend the time or money to train it, they get rid of it b/c of the "behavioural" issues. Animal shelters are overflowing because people are to stupid to get their animals spayed or neutered. Living conditions for animals waiting to die for your dinner are appalling and their deaths are far less humane.

I don't mean to stand on a soap box, but I just get so frustrated with the way so many animals are forced to live and die. There are a lot of people out there who are doing good by these animals. There are farms that go above and beyond what the law mandates, people who volunteer their time and money to rescue organizations and people who live their lives in ethical ways to promote animal well being.

Then there are people that suck...