I will not complain about the weather; I will not complain about the weather!  Have to keep telling myself that!  Speaking of stink, there was this horrible smell in my kitchen and it took me awhile to detect that it was coming from a sack of potatoes.  I’ll spare you the gross details, but suffice it to say, there was one rotten potato.   Unfortunately, that one rotten, stinking potato was making all the other potatoes stinky and if not removed, they too, surely would rot.

Such is the case, when we have a person that doesn’t care for their animals.  Whether, it’s neglect, abuse or even ignorance.    Those “bad” cases put a black eye on all us animal husbandry folks. 

So should these stories be buried, for fear of public perception?  I don’t think so; I think the public/consumers need to know that there is some accountability.

Could these cases, cause undo scrutiny on livestock producers?  Sure, I suppose, but these rotten potatoes need to be found and dealt with so that the whole lot doesn’t get thrown out.

Cruelty to Animals is considered crimes against the public morals in Kansas.    Our state statutes outline cruelty to animals as knowingly killing, injuring, maiming, torturing, burning or mutilating any animal.

It also includes abandoning any animal in a place without provisions, not providing food, water, protection from the elements, no opportunity to exercise and other care that is needed for their health or well-being.   It can include knowingly but not maliciously killing or injuring any animal, or administering any poison to any domestic animal.

There are numerous exceptions, for farm animals, rodeo practices and humane euthanasia.   It also includes laying down a horse for medical or identification purposes.

And you can still poison coyotes, wolves or other predatory animals.  Good to know, except I don’t think they still sell those products.  Wolves in Kansas? 

I’m not sure when this state statute was written, I guess that’s a story for another day!