Myth: Tying a dog in the backyard is not considered cruel; however, it is important to provide your animal with proper shelter from hot and cold weather, food, water and enough room to move. The animal’s shelter should be raised off the ground to keep it dry when it rains.

Myth: Cats are very territorial and will move into an area if another cat is not there to defend it. Removing a feral cat colony is only inviting another colony to move in. It is recommended that you work with your local feral cat organization to have the cats spayed or neutered to help maintain the population, and to receive medical attention. We recommend visiting www.Alleycat.org to find out more information on feral cats.

Myth: Animal cruelty unfortunately occurs in every city throughout the world. If you suspect animal cruelty, it is strongly encouraged that you contact your local animal shelter, sheriff’s department or crime stopper hotline.

Myth: Although dog fighting is more common in the south, dog fighting can occur in any community.

Myth: Although pitbulls commonly are used, and have the reputation for being the dog of choice in dogfights, other breeds are fought. Akita, mastiff and some terriers are known also to be used in fighting rings.

Fact: In almost every state there are laws that prohibit cock fighting. Many states recently have even increased the significance of the punishment from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Myth: In their natural environment, gamecock will fight over food, territory, a mate or pecking order but not to the extent of killing another bird. Gamecock are trained to be aggressive by humans who intend to fight them.

Myth: Unfortunately, this is a common assumption; however, most puppies that can be found at your local pet store have been purchased through puppy mills. The only way to ensure that you are not supporting a puppy mill is by adopting an animal from your local animal shelter or rescue group.

Fact: The Midwest has a significant number of identified puppy mills, with the largest concentration found in Missouri and Kansas. Puppy mills can be anywhere within the United States, even in your own neighborhood.

Myth: Many times an animal is injured when hit with a bullet or an arrow. It runs off to die a painful death.

Fact: Whales are targeted by poachers worldwide for their meat and byproducts. Because of human desire and consumption, many whale species are being hunted to near extinction. Currently there are only 100 West Pacific grey whales remaining and the remaining blue whales of the Atlantic only make up one percent of their original population.

Fact: The import and export of seal-related products is now controlled by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Additionally, in 2007, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean set a “total allowable catch” for seal.

Because of these stricter regulations on seal slaughter, the harp seals in Canada are increasing their population; however, the cape fur seals that can be found on the beaches of Namibia are still being slaughtered at a rate of up to 80,000 pups per year.

Fact: As part of their cultural heritage, horsemeat has been consumed by humans in France. Because North Americans view horses more as pets, horsemeat has become an unpalatable and taboo food in this part of the world. Things may be changing in France as well. In 2000 there were 100 butchers in France that specialized in horses; today there are only 32 that can be found.

Fact: In a poll taken in 1999, 85 percent of Americans thought horse slaughter should be banned and that all horse products should be removed from store shelves. In 1998, California was the first state to ban horse slaughter, transportation for slaughter or product distribution statewide. Since then the three major international slaughterhouses located in Texas and Illinois have been shut down and Congress is working on a bill that bans horse slaughter throughout the U.S.

Fact: Although it is less common to find horse products in pet food, it has been a main ingredient in the past and will continue to be until Congress passes a bill banning the use of horsemeat. In 2006, it was estimated that the 17,000 metric tons of horsemeat shipped to other countries was valued at $65 million. One cut of horse could sell for as much as $20 per pound, making it one of the most expensive meats to purchase. The high cost of horsemeat makes it a less attractive ingredient for pet food manufacturers.

Myth: A bull fight can last several hours and the bull can very slowly bleed to death. The final stage of the bull fight is known as tercio de muerte, or the third of death. During this act, the matador uses his cape to control the movement of the bull, pulling the bull close enough to stab it with a sword. The matador aims between the bull’s shoulder blades in order to cut the aorta or heart. If successful, the bull bleeds out and dies. However, many times the matador misses the aorta or heart. The bull does not die immediately, but rather bleeds from other internal injuries, painfully delaying death for several hours or days.

Fact: Endangered species of animals are protected throughout the world. Many prohibited and exotic animals are constantly being sold on the black market to the highest bidder, however.

Myth: Unfortunately, every species of animal on the planet is a potential target for abuse and cruelty. In the U.S., 25 percent of all animal cruelty cases are directed towards horses and livestock. Because the threat of abuse effects such a broad spectrum of animals, every state within the U.S. has laws that protect every species against cruelty subject to jail time and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Fact: While it may be our human nature to care for animals, many cultures enforce other behavior. In some countries around the world, children are raised to fear animals because of their potential to spread disease. In other countries, abuse of an animal may be taught in order to make a profit and support a family. The sad result is that children exposed to animal cruelty often learn behavior from example and become abusers themselves.