This case illustrates the problems with making animal cruelty laws that are tough enough on those who commit malicious or sadistic acts upon animals, but are written so as to be resistant to misinterpretation by an overzealous prosecutor. I live in an area that is mainly agricultural, have had livestock, and have had to deal with the problems presented to livestock by feral dogs, cats, and pigs. These are animals which cannot be dealt with by offering a bowl of food and a fond caress; they will never be pets, and once they begin to prey upon livestock, it's doubtful that they will ever settle for another food source. A law that involves a blanket prohibition against killing animals outside of a meat processing operation puts farmers and ranchers at risk for their livelihoods. But no law at all, or weak ones, allows nut cases like Mr. Hartley, or the serial dog beater mentioned, to continue to victimize pets. There's got to be a sensible solution.