The most obvious harm caused by animal cruelty is the pain and suffering endured by the animal. In contrast to what is often presented by the media, happy endings in cases of physical cruelty are rare: the abuse is often ghastly and victim animals are rarely returned to good health or adopted by a loving family.
In addition to the animal suffering inflicted in even the least sensational cases, the more complicated hoarding cases also generate significant public health concerns. Homes of hoarders are generally filthy, with an accumulation of animal feces and urine on the floor, sometimes several inches deep. The resulting ammonia gas creates toxic air. Utilities and major appliances usually do not work, and most of the basic activities for a functional and sanitary household e.
Carcasses of dead animals are often found in hoarding locations, many of which are eventually condemned. While animal cruelty is a serious social problem in its own right, interest in its association with other forms of violence has motivated a great deal of research.
Groups of researchers in both the United States and the United Kingdom assert that people who harm or kill animals are at high risk of interpersonal violence. Further, they claim that victims of child abuse are likely to harm animals and are more likely to be violent toward humans as they mature. Most of these studies examined the prevalence of animal cruelty among incarcerated, violent offenders.
However, citing methodological flaws in the research and overly broad generalizations, a few researchers believe the link between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence has been overstated. However, cruelty to animals, alone, is not a particularly influential predictor of interpersonal violence, and animal cruelty may precede or follow other types of violent offenses. Understanding the factors that contribute to your problem will help you frame your own local analysis questions, determine effective measures in response, recognize key intervention points, and select appropriate responses.
Dogs and cats are the most frequent victims of neglect and physical cruelty, although birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, and reptiles are sometimes abused. Most victims of animal cruelty are pets, not wild animals. Wild animals e. Hoarding cases usually involve dogs and cats and most involve multiple species. Neglected animals are often found in households where residents have alcohol and drug problems and where residents are overwhelmed and have difficulty meeting their own basic needs.
Although a few studies have shown that a small proportion of violent adult criminals were chronic animal abusers as children, most children who are cruel to animals commit mild, infrequent acts of cruelty and eventually grow out of it.
Perpetrators are most likely to be older adolescents or young adults. Males commit intentional acts of cruelty toward animals more often than females. They may also express anger about other situations by abusing the animal. Although far less common than physical abuse or simple neglect, hoarding has attracted a disproportionate amount of research.
As a result, the profile of a typical hoarder is far more specific. Hoarders are most frequently single females who live alone, do not work outside the home, and are socially isolated. However, hoarding cases also involve single males and couples of varying ages and living arrangements. Research has identified several types of hoarders, including the following: Regardless of the motivation, without adequate treatment and limits on future pet ownership, nearly all hoarders reoffend.
Research has not examined the specific locations where physical abuse or simple neglect occurs. When an animal is abused, a chain reaction begins in our community. Not only does an innocent animal get injured, but the person who commits the offense often falls into a cycle that could ultimately result in violence against other people. The evidence of a link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans is compelling.
In fact, people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crime. Animal abuse, like many other forms of abuse, is about power and control over a helpless victim.
By taking action against animal cruelty, we protect animals and may uncover and perhaps prevent additional crimes. Safe Haven provides up to 60 days of temporary shelter to animals from families affected by domestic violence, allowing families to leave an abusive situation while knowing their animal is safe and cared for. You may remain anonymous when filing a report.
For example, some communities have fence-building projects for the owners of chained dogs who may not have enough money to build a fence. This approach is usually more effective if you're well acquainted with or are on positive terms already with the person in question.
In most cases, the education and monitoring of the neglect situation is best left to your community's law enforcement professionals. Animal cruelty and neglect FAQ. Contents What is animal cruelty? Why is it a concern? Why would anyone be cruel to animals?
Is there any evidence of a connection between animal cruelty and human violence? What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case? Can reports be made anonymously? How many animals are victims of cruelty each year? What can I do to help fight animal cruelty? What is criminal animal neglect?
How does it cause animal suffering? Are there other concerns? Are there laws against animal neglect? Can animal neglect be prosecuted as a felony offense?
What can I do to help stop animal neglect? What is animal cruelty? Back to top Why is it a concern? Back to top Why would anyone be cruel to animals? Back to top Is there any evidence of a connection between animal cruelty and human violence? Back to top What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case? Back to top Can reports be made anonymously? Back to top How many animals are victims of cruelty each year? Back to top What can I do to help fight animal cruelty? Back to top What is criminal animal neglect?
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