It is odd to me that we hear more about the ethical treatment of animals than we hear about the ethical treatment of children. At present, there are thousands of children dying in east Africa of hunger and disease without much being said. There are children in Indonesia and other places who live each day in the hopelessness and desperation produced by human trafficking and child labor. There are children here in the US who are victims every day of physical and sexual abuse and yet not much is heard about the plight of these children.

This fact was brought home to me again in the publicity associated with the Colville Elementary schoolboys who we have charged with crimes. I have received messages that range from very angry persons who have demanded to know why we have not charged them as adults and from persons who have been worried that somehow the rights of these children were violated by school and police officials.

These comments have been few compared to the many I receive when problems and crimes related to animal cruelty or neglect are publicized. The calls and messages related to animal abuse outnumber calls and messages regarding abuse of children by about 4 or 5 to one and maybe more. I think it is also true for the Sheriff’s office as well.

I wonder what makes the difference. Perhaps it is because people recognize that all animals are at the mercy of adults, and are innocent of bad motives, but it seems to me that young children are equally innocent. It is also hard to understand how anyone could consider that a child is intrinsically less valuable than any animal, but in the media, there are many more ads against cruelty to animals than there are ads against cruelty toward children. Perhaps it is because no one really wants to be reminded of these sad truths regarding children and it is only when something sensational happens that these problems get any attention and then they are quickly forgotten.

We should be thankful that there are many people who work each day to protect and provide for children in need. We should also be thankful that there are people who will open their hearts and homes to children to give them a chance to have a better life by participating in foster children programs and adoptions programs. If you can, please participate in these programs and join other to try and make a difference in the lives of children.