<human>: I'm not sure if I should post this here.  It seems everyday I read articles about animal abuse (specifically dogs) and it makes me sick to my stomach.  I cannot for the life of me comprehend how someone can intentionally do those things to an animal.  I have a blue heeler (Merle) and he means the world to me. Hell I feel guilty if I don't give my him 3 runs in one day!  

Anyway, I'm looking for guidance on what I can do.  I need someone to tell me the good news because it's just depressing to read these things and I feel helpless.  I wish the next time I did read one of these stories, it would be my neighbor so I could inject my own sense of "punishment" on the owners.  I feel animal abuse laws are so lenient, why is that?  If someone starves or abuses a dog on purpose, then are they not a POS and should be locked up?  Is there anything one an do ton influence the abuse laws?

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<bot>: what can one do to help with dogs I read about that are abused?  Why are animal abuse laws not stricter, and is there anything one can do about that?