Animal abuse laws inadequate

Recently, a mean-spirited man tortured a cat, slowly and deliberately, blinding it in one eye. This despicable person is free on bond, according to the newspapers. How wrong is that?

Iowa's pathetically inadequate animal abuse laws set such dangerous people free in most instances. The Oct. 16 article 'Man accused of torturing cat” states that such acts are punishable by as much as two years in jail. If the authorities let him off with a lesser sentence, they should be ashamed. Our lawmakers need to deal with criminals instead of slapping them on the wrist as is so often done. If punishment were maximized, these senseless acts might be reduced.

This man should serve the full two years, followed by community service for a considerable length of time. Perhaps it would occur to him at some point that he committed a terrible wrong.

What a shame the cat didn't blind him in return. Of course, if I could choose his punishment, it would be much more severe than two years in jail. An eye for an eye and all that.

Dixie Saylor

Iowa City