Greg Freeman: If Dusty's Death Can Stir Such Passion, Why Can't A Child's? PD 8/23/2001

Headline: IF DUSTY'S DEATH CAN STIR SUCH PASSION, WHY CAN'T A CHILD'S?
Reporter: By Greg Freeman

Publication: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Last Printed: Thur., Aug. 23, 2001
Section: METRO Page: B1 Edition: FIVE STAR LIFT

Years ago, when I was a cub reporter -- an intern with the Washington Star -- I was given an assignment to spend a day with a dogcatcher and to write a feature about it.
Before I wrote my piece, I was warned by veteran reporters: "Don't put your byline on your story. People go nuts about animal stories, and your phone will ring off the wall." My byline went on the story anyway -- the editors insisted -- and, just as predicted, I received more calls and letters about that story than any other I had written all summer.

For some reason, people are moved beyond belief by animals.
It's a good thing for people to be concerned about animals. I'm an animal lover myself, and I know that there are lots of dogs and cats out there in dire need of adoption. Fortunately, there are a lot of good-hearted people who are concerned about them and do what they can to help them.
I do, however, think there's such a thing as going overboard.

That brings me to the case of Dusty.
If you've somehow missed the story, here's the background: Michael Welch of Green Park is charged with beating his dog, Dusty, to death with a sledgehammer on June 9. Officials said he told them he was angered because of a bite suffered by his son. Welch is charged with animal abuse, a felony, and if he's found guilty, he could get up to five years in jail or a fine of up to $5,000.

The story has stirred the passions of animal activists who have delivered thousands of petitions to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch. Earlier this week, dozens of protesters -- some even bused in -- demonstrated outside the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton during Welch's preliminary hearing.
Animal lovers are sending me e-mail calling for the death penalty for Welch. "His life is worth no more than Dusty's life, " one passionate animal lover wrote me.
Radio talk shows have been deluged with callers wanting Welch's head on a platter. In some communities, yard signs have even popped up calling for Dusty's revenge.

All of this makes me wonder about our priorities.
     Where were the protesters when 7-year-old Luke Maue of St. Peters was hit by a car and killed outside the Zoo by a motorist who police said was intoxicated and driving as fast as 70 mph in a 15 mph zone? I don't recall seeing any petitions in that case.
     Or how about the cases this summer where children died in closed cars because their parents either weren't paying attention to them or forgot that they were in the vehicles? Were those deaths not worth demonstrating about?
     How about the drive-by shootings that took place this summer, especially those where innocent youngsters were shot? Where were the petitions? The protests?

I could go on, but you get my point. There is nothing wrong with people concerned about the rights of animals. No one has the right to beat and torture an animal to death. Anyone who does should be punished appropriately. I would never criticize animal rights activists for their concern in this case.
But I do have to wonder why the same concern doesn't carry over to children. Are the lives of animals more important than the lives of children? The animal activists should ask themselves, if this case had been one involving a child who was beaten to death instead of a dog, would they still have been in front of the courthouse? Can they honestly say that they would have carried petitions demanding justice for the child who was killed?

The courts will ultimately decide what sort of punishment Welch will get for his actions based on testimony in the case.
My only hope is that the indignation that has surfaced regarding Dusty's case won't disappear the next time a child is killed.

Daniel Schesch - Webweaver

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