WKKX EDITORIAL NO. 115

(Henry Bergh)

     Henry Bergh is a name few would recognize; however, he helped establish two of the most worthy organizations in our society.

     It all started in the mid-1800s when Bergh was returning to New York from Europe.  While riding a horse-drawn carriage, Bergh saw a man beating his horse which was unable to pull an overloaded wagon up an incline.  Bergh jumped from his carriage and attacked the abuser in defense of the helpless horse.  Bergh then began a campaign to organize and fund the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which has existed now for 140 years.

     Bergh didn’t stop with his protection of defenseless animals.  It is reported that he saw a woman beating her child and decided to file a lawsuit against her maintaining that the child and those who are defenseless need protection.  Bergh’s experiences in this case led him to establish and fund the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

     We salute Mr. Bergh for his vision and urge everyone to support these outstanding organizations and report all acts of abuse.