Save our pets

Compare the warmth of a child to the comfort of a pet. Those who own pets often testify that it is like another kid. The responsibility, the innocence, the unspoken creature and the added attention seeking lead to their being very little difference between a child and a pet. In the article (Adela Moreno, Cruel and Unnecessary, 8/11/2014) the author mentions how the inhumane treatment of leaving pets in the car should be handled with harsher punishment, for which I fully agree with. Animals in the world today have more rights and more laws for their protection, and if they are treated without care to the point where they die, then punishment should be along the same basis of harming a child.

                An animal cannot speak for its own right and therefore it is necessary that we create such laws where we need to protect them. Hyperthermia is not a joke when it comes to so many recent incidents in the news. On the news we read about many mothers leaving their babies in the car, which eventually lead to heatstroke and consequently the death of the child. These mothers are held on trial and found guilty on the basis of negligence towards their child. People may argue that a child is not the same thing as a dog, however it is a living creature, for which care has to be provided. If these mothers can be tried for and found guilty for the same crime then why not a pet owner who demonstrated the same amount of negligence in respect to their pet? I whole heartedly agree with the author that the government should take action and not ignore this. A ticket is nearly not enough to bring back a life. Yes the pet cannot speak, however they to need their rights.

Many a times when I go to get my groceries, I see at least one pet sitting in the car waiting for their owner. People justify that leaving the windows down is sufficient enough. Well what if a person sat in that heat with the windows down? Would they agree? Texas heat is not something that is tolerable in a hot metal vehicle for two straight hours while a master shops. I fail to understand that if your pet is not allowed inside then why bring them in the first place and then abandon them for so long in the car. Either way be it human or pet, negligence that leads to death is defined as murder and if a person can held accountable for humans in this regard then they should also be held accountable for their pets.

In order to stop this inhumane behavior the government should take strict precaution and pass a law in understanding for all those owners who leave their pets in the car, resulting to their death will be tried in the same court for justice as parents who forget their child in the car. In this way we will see more of a humanity extended towards these animals. 

Think outside the plastic bag

To some a thin plastic bag holds no value, and to others it holds too much of a value. What about those that just want to take the middle ground? We care but not to the extent that we make it a law to ban them. Understanding the importance of these bags is essential to understanding the impact of them. So what purpose can a thin bag provide well for one it make a great basket cover for a trash can, acts for storage purposes, grocery usage, lunch carrier and numerous amounts of other uses can be listed. In Austin may such areas ban the usage of these plastic bags, which I must admit bothers me. I feel strongly that the state of Texas should lift the ban off of these plastic bags in areas where this is implemented. My reasons are clear, as much as it may seem necessary to ban it, here’s why one shouldn't.

Firstly, in busy times like these no one remembers to carry around a reusable bag after they used it last week for their groceries. I certainly don’t remember mine. The easier option for me? Take a detour and visit the Walmart on Louis Henna that does provide plastic bags for me. Does that mean that I will grab a bunch and be careless with the usage? Of course not. Those bags that I take home will be used for garbage carrying purposes and other such uses. Now who did this situation benefit we think? No one really. The sales for the HEB in my area decreased and went straight to the pockets of the Walmart located on Louis Henna. It is important to people that they have an easy way to carry their groceries. It is important to people that they are given an easier option to revert to rather than going home after a long day at work just because you forgot your grocery bag.

Let’s now focus on the fact that it’s not just about our convenience or what we want. If plastic bags are being banned, then what about those that make it a business to manufacture and sell them? Who will compensate for them? Yes a greener city is better, however if people have already learned the usage for them and the city is already known as a pretty green city, then why make further laws which will only end up putting peoples jobs in danger. I don’t think that people have considered that quite yet, but it is true. Everything is a business, and t stop one must impact the other.

Discussing the topic of a greener city or state seems just perfect doesn’t it? Why stop at plastic bags then? Why not ban plastic bottles or milk cartons or everything else that harms the society. I find it difficult to understand that in a world where cigarettes can’t be banned even though they are a health hazard, there is banning of something as small as a plastic bag. Coke cans create just as much of a wastage and hazard that supporters of plastic bag banning have suggested. No one has heard of them being banned as yet. Therefore the point is, if you’re going to start talking about banning, there are many things that you can ban but where does it all stop?

I personally feel that the city of Austin should consider its choices on the banning of plastic bags. Not only will it be beneficial for businesses but also bring other important things to light that require more attention. A bag is simply not something that requires a law at this time.