I think animal neglect and abandonment should be treated just as animal abuse. It is the same thing.

The people should not be tied up outside - it wouldn't teach them a thing, as they obviously think that people and animals are much different creatures. They should be penalized financially - which is something they might understand better - or at least it would be more of a disinsentive. Enough money to pay for veterinary care, shelter space and to pay the animals' caretakers.