Re: Gerbil Abuse Must Be Stopped

[Todd Brabbin]

You have to be careful about responding to strongly to what you read here.  People will write stuff to prey on the emotions of others.  You must take what you read here, as with anything in email and the internet, with a grain of salt.  With this relatively new technology it is easy for people to reach many other people and they get off on getting others to react to them.

Yes, we need to promote standards for those that breed and/or pass animals on to others that assure these animals are going to decent homes that will care for them.

Email, chatrooms, and message boards are anonymous and there are people out there that take advantage of that to feel a sense of power.  When people react...it feeds them.  In the situation you mentioned...I think the best recourse is to get as many facts as you can...you say this was a sister....what was her motive for coming into a chat room and talking about this?  Engage her...see if you can get information that will lead you to them.  Maybe she will be willing to talk on the phone.  Maybe you can narrow down to a city.

The situation you described is pretty horrific and most likely doubtful...although we all know there are some pretty horrific animal abuse stories out there.

I guess what I am saying is realize that people will play with you here.  I have seen people wig out in response to posts on the list here.  Before you post that emotional reply..stop and think...is this someone who just wants attention?  If you think it might be....ignore them and they will look elsewhere for their attention.

Todd
NYC