Although we in Britain are reputed to be 'a nation of animal lovers' we can also be extremely cruel to our pets. Pets turned loose when the family goes away on holiday, unwanted puppies or kittens placed in sacks and left on roadsides or in ponds and rivers, animals starved or beaten for no reason - all these form part of a sad list of cases. A puppy beaten to death with a baseball bat and a kitten spun in a clothes dryer are examples of the horrific animal abuse crimes that are on a dramatic increase in Britain. Some of the other victims of the shocking abuse included a dog that was repeatedly slashed with a knife by his owner and two young puppies that were buried alive. More than 30 rabbits and guinea pigs were found living among dead animals in filthy hutches and an emaciated pony was rescued from a tether that pinned it to the ground. its shocking that humans can actually do this to innocent animals. thats why we need harsher punishments to try make a difference sign and share.