I live in the middle of an Amish community. I have seen several incidents of them misusing their horses. Now I read in People Weekly mag. where some in PA and OH are running puppy mills. Locally, I saw a dog tied on a short chain staked out in the middle of a field all alone, no shade. Could not tell if it had food or water. Some teens had run their horse in the heat until it collasped in the ditch. One horse was left tied facing a winter storm for over two hours. I know the "English" (as they call anyone not Amish) mistreat animals too. I just hear how idyllic everyone thinks the Amish life is. If you are anything but an Amish man I have serious doubts in many cases! We are very rural and have no animal protection agencies. The police around here barely help people and sure as h... would not intervene for a mere animal. No point to this story really; just venting. PS: off above topic-I rescued my dog as a puppy from a puppy mill in IA-she only has three legs and they were going to kill her. Most loving, loyal little dog I ever seen. She doesn't know she is supposed to have 4 legs! (smiles)

I can understand you needing to vent about this, personally I feel animal abuse is as bad as child abuse, abuse of innocence grrrrrrrr.

It is nasty to point this out to you but at least they are not killing each other, or abusing kids as most religious sects seem to do.

Human abuse and Animal abuse are one in the same to me !!! If one say, would purposely hit an animal in the street and keep going, they are the same one's who do it to humans too, and do !!!

It is not just where you are, or any group, so many are acting crazy and have no respect or care for any life nowdays !!!!

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Actually child sexual and emotional abuse happens with the Amish and has been written about in books.

Hey sweetheart, I live not too far from Amish country in Iowa as well, there are a signifcant more population of Menonites here however... its essentially the same. (heaven forbid they would hear that!) But i know what you are saying. I saw a little girl at the thrift store the other day and she was looking at me smiling so I bent down and smiled at her, told her her dress was very pretty, pink is my favorite color and it looks great on her, her mother snatched her up so fast you would think I was cussing at her!

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Life throws curve balls, get battin and stay strong! Momof6

It is not so much the "people/Amish" as i believe it is about an individual. We should not look at a person/people and assume they represent the group, if you know what i mean?

In our society dogs are pets, in another their food and are used as such. The relationship you have with an animals is based on your "sight/perception." While one see's a pet, another just a work tool and used as such.
In no way do i mean to lessen the suffering of animals through the hands of mankind. I believe people should be prosecuted if found guilty of animal cruelty and given sentences fitting the crime.

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When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.

maybe a stuppit quistion but what's a amish community such as a sect?

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be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down

I would differently turn them in regardless how they believe. Doing something as this is illegal and even they need to take responsibility for their actions.

Ive read books about their beliefs, and even cruelty is not part of who they are.

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this mod needs coffee

I think they are sect, they keep apart from society, they are a rule onto themselves, they don't fit into society as it is so to me they are a sect because firstly religion is their main believe and secondly their social believes.

The Amish At Work

The farmlands of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country are among the most productive in the nation. But many of the farmers here are different from most Americans; different by choice. For these are the Old Order Amish and Mennonites, also known as the "Plain People".

Our Amish neighbors have been employing horse-drawn power since the days when horsepower had a whole different meaning! In comparison to our fast-paced society, the simpler, family-centered Amish way of life holds a special fascination.

These people trace their heritage back hundreds of years, and yet, despite all the time that has passed and the many changes that have taken place in society, they still live and work much as their forefathers did. Their families and their farms are their top priorities, second only to God.

The Amish and the Plain People of Lancaster County, PA

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When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.