To the editor:

I was appalled and sickened by yet another case of animal cruelty in Westport.

It would be interesting to know how many of those heartless individuals are the same people that were previously reprimanded for the very same crimes at the same locations six years ago.

This unscrupulous person who rents out parcels of land for this senseless act of cruelty to animals is not human.

People who are caught abusing animals should never be allowed to own another animal for the rest of their lives.

Westport authorities, also, must share the blame. Once the property has been investigated for such behavior, it would be reasonable to monitor exiting conditions more than once a year. This is a dereliction of duty and is cause for concern. No excuse is justified.

It is too bad that the law does not have the same punishment that these poor, suffering animals were forced to endure. I hope that the people of Westport and other communities will be more vigilant and report any kind of abuse that they hear of or witness. There are far too many.

Betty Jerome

Tiverton