Dear Source,
As a longtime resident of the Virgin Islands as well as a member of the Humane Society of St. Thomas, I was so pleased to read that the Senate Rules Committee approved the Animal Cruelty Bill, No. 25-0149. Thanks to Senator Donastorg for his steadfastness in pursuing this legislation and to the current Rules Committee for recognizing its importance.
Congratulations to the boards, management, staff and members of the St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John shelters for their perseverance in seeing that this bill was not forgotten.
Family violence is not limited to those that walk on two legs. In surveys of women entering domestic violence shelters, over 70 percent report that their partner abused or killed a family pet.
In 1997 the Humane Society of the United States introduced a program called First Strike that raised awareness of the link between animal cruelty and human violence. I urge readers to visit the Humane Society Web site and read more about this program.
Passage of Bill 25-0149 can only enhance the efforts of Virgin Islands law enforcement and those organizations in the community that work tirelessly to stop senseless and needless violence.
Claudia LaBorde
Tampa, Fla.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
