We have all heard or read about animals and humans being cruelly treated. It never gets easy. However, knowledge is wisdom. Hopefully, we can do something about these incidences of cruelty. And don't discount the power of prayer. I always feel that a loving God is always there to not only hear our prayer requests, but to answer them as well.

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Puzzled by my title? Well, you won't be when you learn that Justice is a horse--a very special horse. Through Animal Legal Defense Fund, he is suing the woman who abused him for the cost of his current and future medical care. Thank God that finally animals can seek justice in courts for the cruelties they suffer from the hands of man because of organizations like Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Justice is the survivor of severe neglect, and when rescued he was emaciated and suffering from frostbite, rain rot, and lice. Each was horrible in its own right, but he was also malnourished to the point where his rescuers thought he might not survive. How could anyone with an ounce of compassion allow this to happen?

Sadly, of course, there are many, many accounts of cruelty every day--not only to animals but to humans as well.

And who tortured him? A woman no less, and she would plead guilty to criminal animal neglect and relinquish him to Sound Equine Options, a rescue organization that specialized in horse care in Oregon. Thank God for them and all organizations of compassion.

Justice today is 8 years old and is getting better every day. Much thanks for this is due to a dedicated team of caretakers, which includes veterinarians and behavioral therapists at Sound Equine Options.

Despite this wonderful help, Justice will have to live the rest of his life with the neglect inflicted on him causing permanent injuries. Not only may he require ongoing, expensive specialized medical care but, due to his injuries, he may also require surgery in the future. Obviously, this heartless woman not only caused Justice a lot of daily suffering, but it would end up causing serious problems to his future well being.

In court the lawyers from The Animal Legal Defense Fund argued that his abuser violated his right to be free from cruelty. Therefore they maintained- that Justice is entitled to sue to recover damages not only for his medical care but also for his physical and psychological suffering.

I agree. There was a time not too long ago when animals had no voice in court at all.

Thank God, times have changed because of the work of lawyers like those from The Animal Legal Defense Fund. They want to see that no animal should ever be mistreated.

They want to help as many animals they can who need them to be a voice for them in court. What a wonderful compassionate mission. May their work be blessed by a loving God who cares about ALL His creatures.

The title in the ALDF newsletter is "HIS NAME IS JUSTICE--HE'S MAKING HISTORY." And hopefully, Justice will make history. May his case be finally a start for all suffering animals to have a voice in the courts of justice. Surely, they too deserve compassion and justice.

Authors Bio:
I have been concerned about animal suffering ever since

I received my first puppy Peaches in 1975. She made me take a good look at the animal kingdom and I was shocked to see how badly we treat so many animals. At 77, I've been a vegan for the past 30 years and I thank God every day that I am. I am most disturbed at how little the Catholic Church and Christian churches generally give to concern re animal suffering in their ministry. I wrote to 350 bishops in 2001 and only 10-13 responded. I feel that the very least they can do is to instruct that the priests give one sermon a year on compassion to animals. I am still waiting for that sermon. I also belong to Catholic Concern for Animals - founded in England in 1929. (They are on the internet) I recently sent a sample copy of their bi-monthly publication called the ARK to the 8 Catholic bishops of Ohio. Only ONE kindly responded. Somehow we have to reach the Christian teaching magisterium. There is next to nothing re animal concerns and compassion for them. They basically believe that animals are the lesser of God's creation and that gives us the right to do anything we want to them. Way wrong. We need to change their mindsets. The animals are God's first and He expects us to treat them compassionately.