At last our society is finally seeing more and more that any act of cruelty toward a harmless animal is wrong and will not be tolerated.

A case in point happened this weekend when a 300-pound Florida man, drunk, teased a shih tzu to the point the small animal responded by biting him. The dog belonged to his mother and was like a companion to her.

When the dog reacted, the man retaliated by biting the animal on the face and choking the dog so hard, one of its eyes popped out.

Acts that seem unbelievable to any decent human being.

There was a time when people would be shocked and that would be it. No real punishment. If there was any, it might be a fine or picking up a vet bill tab.

But not in West Palm Beach. This act of cruelty has put the man into the state prison for an entire year.

Studies abound that show that those who treat animals in a vicious manner are more likely to perform comparable acts to their fellow men.

Last week a Charleston, West Virginia family found their beloved dog, that they had thought was lost, had been shot just near their house.

Now will West Virginia take a page out of Florida’s book and treat the shooter with a punishment that has some substance? The answer must be yes.

All of us must view all of life with respect.