Those people who push their pets, mostly dogs and cats, out of their cars on country roads and then race away before the animals realize what is happening are special: rating high up on the barometer of insensitivity and cruelty. By abandoning their pets, they are pronouncing a death sentence on them.

Unfortunately, only a few are likely to die quickly under the wheels of a passing vehicle. Dogs or cats not prepared to fend for themselves may linger for weeks before starving to death. Many others will know the horror of facing predators, such as coyotes or bobcats, and being ripped apart before winding up as a meal.

Do those who ditch animals have consciences and imaginations? Clearly, if they had much of either, they wouldn't toss out a cat about to have kittens or leave a dog standing on the roadside.

One thing is certain. People who abandon pets don't expect to get caught. That might prove inconvenient and embarrassing. Who wants to be known for abandoning a pet? Not many, if any, could be proud of what they have done - or are planning to do - to their family dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters.

The merciful approach to dealing with an unwanted pet, other than finding a good home with neighbors or friends, is to take it to an animal shelter. Some may find homes. Most eventually may be destroyed, but it will be done humanely and quickly.

The Joplin Humane Society shelter takes in 10,000 animals a year, but 70 percent, or 7,000, are never adopted out.

Significant factors in the abandoned-pet problem are the failure of owners to have their animals spayed or neutered, or to consider the expense and inconvenience of having pets. By their insensitivity, pets must die alone, too often terrified and hungry.

Simple human kindness and a modicum of responsibility will alleviate much of this suffering.