A horrifying incident involving 4 innocent puppies, dumped in an irrigation pipe, has recently happened. Tragically, this resulted in the unnecessary loss of three young lives and numerous days of these puppies having to eat on the deceased puppies just to stay alive. 

This scenario is an example of the widespread and severe problem of animal cruelty, including the shocking act of abandoning animals, that we are facing in Yakima County

The Yakima Valley is considered the worst county in the state when it comes to animal abuse. Exact numbers are hard to come by on the number of stray dogs and cats, but the Yakima Humane Society reported 2982 animals that were surrendered or picked up off the streets last year alone. This does not count the numerous other rescues. The numbers are astounding

We know anecdotally that the Yakima Valley has more than its share of roaming dogs and feral cats that pose a major problem with finding homes. Many are being transported to other counties.  No one knows exactly how many feral cats there are. For Yakima County, it is estimated that the feral cat population is somewhere between 35,000-41,000. Within the city of Yakima that would be around 15,000 cats.

Female cats can produce three litters a year, with up to 5-10 kittens per litter. Smaller dogs can go into heat as soon as they are 4-months old. Larger breeds a little longer but on average, the first heat begins at around 6 months of age. 

Such grim figures underscore the urgent need for action. We need to push for stricter legal interventions against these heinous acts. The current penalties appear weak, and not deterrent enough to curtail such actions from reoccurring.

Animals deserve justice too and we should not ignore their suffering. In honor of the puppies who tragically suffered, and for all the animals who face cruelty and abandonment, we implore our lawmakers to review and impose stricter and more effective penalties for animal cruelty and abandonment. Rescues are full and cannot continue to handle this on their own. We implore the county to help provide funding to help spay and neuter, to impose stricter fines on back yard breeders, stricter fines on those who abandon their animals. This is everyone's problem, and we need to stand together to make a change

It is time to raise our voices against this silent epidemic of cruelty and enact the change these animals need and deserve. Please sign this petition today. Stand for compassion, stand for justice. Your support can make a world of difference to animals that cannot defend themselves.