The philosophy of the Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is that kindness to animals helps build a better world for all. If that's true, then Negative Space Gallery hopes to set the foundation for a happier planet with an upcoming PAWS charity event.

Negative Space and area band Second Hand Dogs will host the benefit for the nonprofit animal rescue group on February 16 at the gallery. PAWS' emphasis is placed on reform of current animal cruelty laws and adoption of dogs in need.

The event is particularly timely in light of two recent cases of animal cruelty that made headlines in Cleveland, notes Negative Space director Michael Kurtz. In November, a bull mastiff was shot and left for dead in a Cleveland Heights park. Late last month, a Labrador mix was killed with a bow and arrow in Old Brooklyn.

The Negative Space program offers a raffle to benefit PAWS, resource tables, adoption opportunities, and a guest appearance by "Forrest," the survivor of the Cleveland Heights attack.

"There are people whose animals mean more to them than anything in the world," says Kurtz, whose Collie-German Shepherd mix was rescued from a home with poor conditions. "Who can [shoot a dog] and sleep at night?"

Ohio is one of the states with the most lax animal cruelty laws, PAWS officials note. Seven bills dealing with animal cruelty were recently rejected in the 129th General Assembly. Raising funding and awareness for such an important issue is a pleasure for Kurtz.

"There should be public pressure to not allow this kind of behavior," he says.

SOURCE: Michael Kurtz
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth