Animal Cruelty and Human Violence Animal Cruelty

Animal Cruelty and Human Violence

Animal cruelty includes an assortment of different behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to more serious malicious action, and even various forms of brutal killing. Studies indicate that animal cruelty may also be followed by more serious forms of crime, such as drug use, inappropriate violent outbursts, and even in some cases homicide. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology have addressed the issues involving animal cruelty and human violence and have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated incidents of animal cruelty (Henderson, Hensley and Tallichet). Violence directed at animals by young people is a sign that something is erroneous in their behavioral patterns, and often acts as a predictor of future violence, even homicides against other humans.

One way to prevent such occurrences is through regulation and enforcement. Since the early 1960s, Congress has enacted over eighty animal protection statutes, such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).1 States have also passed a wide variety of prohibitions and regulations on animal cruelty, animal fighting, Internet hunting, and puppy mills (Ritter). Although such policy initiatives are useful and just, it is not always the case that local enforcement actively pursues such perpetrators or enforces the regulations at all.

Another method of addressing the situation is through education including ethics and humane education. Humane education teaches people how to accept and fulfill their responsibility to companion animals, such as cats and dogs, and all forms of animal life. It explains the consequences of irresponsible behavior and encourages people to see the value of all living things (The National Humane Education Society). This not only helps people to understand the implications of violent effects on animals but also, in many cases, provides individuals positive examples of how to treat animals. Is often the case that people, especially children, often witness the more inappropriate ways to treat animals and learn through social situations negative instead of positive approaches to keeping pets.

Current research results suggest that animal abuse may be a red flag indicative of family violence in the home. Specifically, about 60% of participants who have witnessed or perpetrated animal cruelty as a child also report experiences with child maltreatment or domestic violence (DeGue and DeLillo). Children will learn to abuse animals from witnessing such an event. Also, when children exhibit cruel behaviors toward animals it can either be a sign that they are getting hurt by someone else or some other cry for help. If nothing is done, the child could eventually harm more animals or even hurt people.