For so many pet lovers, Fido and Fluffy are more than just four-legged, furry friends.

They are members of the family.

Sure, they may be animals. But they’re animals with feelings, quirks, attitudes and personalities, much like us. So, we become protective of them the same as we would our family members.

In that vein we grow sad, angry and troubled when we hear about cases of animal abuse.

And even more infuriating than the abuse itself is when the abuser is never brought to justice.

One example: This summer saw a new set of charges brought against Tamara Rusz, a Mars woman accused of leaving 21 cats in crates to die. Last fall, she was charged for similar crimes. People were understandably upset when the charges were dropped in that second case due to a lack of evidence because Rusz was nowhere to be found and had never been interviewed by investigators.

A bench warrant was issued for her arrest in June on the first charges from November 2018, but she’s yet to be arrested, thus making it tough for Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger to refile charges against her.

But we are pleased to hear that a dismissed felony aggravated cruelty to an animal charge in a more recent case will definitely be refiled.

The evidence is certainly there this time to warrant the charge.

Goldinger announced Wednesday he fully intends to refile the charge against John G. Riordan. The 47-year-old West Virginia man stands accused of repeatedly hitting a dog with a sledgehammer last month while staying with a now former friend in Summit Township.

It is not just about the physical damage done to Justin Anthony’s dog, but the change in its demeanor that likely will never heal. It’s like watching your child suffer a traumatic event from which they never fully come back.

We applaud the decision and hope Goldinger is able to get justice for Bailey, the 13-year-old springer spaniel Riordan allegedly hit.