Owning an animal is a large responsibility. Animals are being abused, neglected, dumped, euthanized and slaughtered because the responsibility of owning animals such as dogs, cats, horses, as well as many others is not met with the seriousness that we owe these creatures. As stricter animal neglect laws are needed, we need to also address the issue from the beginning by educating individuals about animal ownership, making it a privilege and not a right and restricting those who have neglected, abused, or have been found guilty of any crime against animals to never own one again. I was inspired to write this petition after reading a disturbing story of an animal abuser out of Ohio who threw her kitten after grabbing it by the head and shaking it. I rescued a dog last year out of one of the most disgusting animal shelters in South Carolina, animals sitting in their own feces, with fleas and mites, dark and wet cages with two or three dogs to each small cage. Most of them get euthanized, my dog was covered in mange, fleas, had ticks and mites, every worm except heartworm. She was a shell of a dog, wouldn't walk through a doorway, now recovered from her hell on earth and neglect, she is the most eager to please, smart, sweet, beautiful creature I have come to known in my life. She had 24 hours to live before I got there. Please help me in saying enough is enough. Our animal shelters are full, too many animals are loosing their lives needlessly, something needs to change. As one person adopting one animal we make a difference in that one animal's life, as a whole we can have our voices heard, and hope to make a difference in so many more!