Dogs & Cats Used as Shark Bait

Okay, okay, so this isn't about politics or anything like it, but it still pisses me off. I saw this yesterday, and couldn't believe my eyes. This is not for the squeamish, as the photo is graphic.

This is happening in, where else, the wonderful country of France; the Island of "La Reunion."

"A six-month-old labrador pup was recently found ALIVE with a huge double hook through its snout - like the dog above - and another through a leg.

The pup was found in a coastal creek and is thought to have somehow freed itself from a fishing line."

Thank God for Britain's RSPCA, who are "demanding an end to the hideous torture."

I know this is one of those 'say it ain't so!' stories, so I double-checked with Snopes on this one:

"Given that a Réunion newspaper article reported the recent prosecution of a deliveryman (and amateur fisherman) on that island over animal cruelty charges associated with the described activity, we'd have to estimate that there probably is some truth to shark-fishing claim, although the practice may not be as widespread or horrific as implied by recent news stories — the article notes that it is largely the province of amateur fisherman who place their canine bait on boards attached to buoys rather than "dragging them behind boats," and that they generally pick up dead strays rather than catching and impaling live animals."

There's also a corroborating website out there, a French-language news report, that has video included.

May not be as "widespread" or as "horrific" as implied? You've GOT to be kidding me! Even if this single dog is the only victim of this barbaric practice, that's ONE TOO DAMN MANY!

Yet another reason to Boycott France!