Todd Marcum: Shock Collar on Kids

Todd Marcum is a sadist. He's a horrible father.

SALEM, Ore. -- A Salem man accused of using a dog shock collar on his four children is facing criminal mistreatment charges.

Todd Marcum, 41, was arrested Tuesday and his children (ages 9, 8, 6 and 3) are now in the custody of their mother. The case has also been referred to the Department of Human Services.

Investigators say Marcum put an electronic dog collar on his four children. Police said he admitted to shocking all of them at least once because he thought it was funny. He said he also got entertainment out of chasing his 3-year-old son around with the collar and making him cry at the thought of being shocked.

...Police issued the following statement:

Although it should not be necessary, the Salem Police Department would like to remind people that shock collars and devices are not toys and should not be played with. These devices are designed to control disruptive or aggressive behavior and are not intended for amusement.

It's interesting.

Putting a non-stinging, harmless caterpillar in a terrorist's cell is considered torture by some.

What would these people consider putting a shock collar on a child, one that delivers a very REAL jolt?

What would these people consider chasing a three-year-old around and threatening him with a shock collar?

Is this torture?

Marcum admits to treating his children worse than U.S. interrogators treated terrorists, bad guys at war with us and bent on killing innocents.

Marcum victimized his children for the entertainment value. He found pleasure in watching them be shocked and watching them squirm at the fear of being shocked.

He hurt his children because he thought it was funny. He enjoyed it.

It was a sick, totally selfish act. He wasn't trying to save the lives of thousands of Americans.