Animal Abuse: The Root of Violent Crime and More
Introduction:
The world has become increasingly aware of the disturbing link between animal cruelty and violent crimes, ranging from murder and school shootings to domestic violence. Recent research has shed light on the crucial need to take these crimes more seriously, implement harsher consequences for animal abusers, and create preventative measures such as an animal abuser registry. It's imperative for parents, teachers, and society at large to recognize the signs, report concerning behaviors, and advocate for psychological screening in schools as a means of intervention. In this post, we delve into the research supporting this link and discuss the importance of proactive measures to address these issues.
Understanding the Link
Numerous studies have demonstrated a clear correlation between animal cruelty during childhood and a tendency towards violent behavior in adulthood. Animal cruelty is 1 of 3 MacDonald triad traits that is indicative of later aggressive behavior in adults. Research such as that presented in the articles by Parfitt & Alleyne and Medrano et al., highlights the significance of this connection. The concept of "violence progression" suggests that individuals who display cruelty to animals are more likely to escalate to violent acts against humans. The psychological framework underlying these actions revolves around desensitization, where the boundaries between harming animals and harming humans become blurred.
Importance of Taking Action:
Acknowledging and taking action against animal cruelty is not just about safeguarding animals; it's about preventing potential future acts of violence against humans. By addressing the early signs of aggression and cruelty, we have a better chance of intervening and preventing violent tendencies from escalating further. Recognizing animal cruelty as an indicator of future violence can help law enforcement, educators, and mental health professionals identify individuals who might pose a risk to society.
Proposed Solutions:
**Write to your senators and congressmen! Their ultimate goal is to get re-elected and they care about their constituents (you) want. If you found this post helpful, find your representatives' contact information at these links:
Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
You can email them the contents of this post and any other information you'd like to share. If you have time, a phone call or virtual meeting makes an even greater impact.
1) Harsher Consequences for Animal Abusers: The legal system should impose stricter penalties for individuals who commit acts of animal cruelty. Such measures can serve as deterrents and offer a chance for rehabilitation before the progression towards more severe crimes occurs. Many animal abuser cases are not reported or have such a small penalty that it doesn’t deter offenders.
2) Animal Abuser Registry: Creating an animal abuser registry, similar to the sex offender registry, would help track and monitor individuals with a history of animal abuse. This information can be shared with law enforcement, shelters, and pet adoption agencies to prevent these individuals from acquiring new victims. Moreover, pet owners should have the right to be aware of dangerous individuals in their neighborhood to make informed decisions on letting their pets outside. This would also increase the stigma of animal abuse, spread awareness, and help society take it more seriously.
a. In the interest of practicality, to start, only intentional offenders could be listed (deliberate harm inflicted upon animals)
3) Early Intervention in Schools: Schools play a vital role in identifying problematic behavior early on. Psychological screening programs can help identify children who exhibit signs of cruelty to animals or other troubling behaviors. This information can lead to targeted interventions, counseling, and support services. This also provides a paper trail in the event this individual goes on to commit other crimes. Some guardians may not have access to mental healthcare and this would be a basic screening tool to help optimize support for the child.
4) Parental and Teacher Reporting: Parents, teachers, and students should be encouraged to report any instances of animal cruelty or signs of violent tendencies they observe in children. Open communication between educators, parents, and mental health professionals can facilitate timely intervention and prevent further escalation. There should always be the option to report things anonymously to counter fears of retaliation.
5) Allow Pets in Domestic Abuse shelters: Victims are more prone to return to their abuser’s home because pets are one of the last sources of comfort they have when they’re isolated from everyone else. Victims are also more cooperative in prosecution when their pets are safe. Pet abuse is a strong indicator of a violent home situation. Witnessing violence in the home increases chances of the child perpetuating the same behaviors. Children become desensitized to the consequences of animal cruelty (or lack of) and move on to humans.
a. Increase collaboration of police forces with local humane societies, shelters, and pet food/supply stores. Many are willing to shelter a pet to keep domestic abuse victims safe.
Conclusion:
The link between animal cruelty and violent crimes is a grave concern that society cannot afford to ignore. Research strongly supports the idea that addressing animal abuse is a key strategy in preventing future violent acts. By implementing harsher consequences, creating an animal abuser registry, and prioritizing early intervention through psychological screening, we can take crucial steps towards breaking the cycle of violence. It is our collective responsibility to protect both animals and potential victims of future violence by taking matters into our own hands.
Can you imagine all the grief, time, and resources that would be spared by preventing these crimes? Usually by the time someone is caught, they’ve harbored a long list of victims- both directly and indirectly. Their negative influence has a domino effect. Furthermore, the time and money spent hunting down and arresting these criminals, prosecuting them, and holding them in prison or implementing the death penalty could be used for other causes to better our society.
See something, say something. Don’t count on someone else to do it. You are the only one with a 100% chance of taking action willingly on something you notice and your decisions can change the trajectory of the world. No incident is too small to report. Tell your teachers and administrators at school, your family, and report it to the local police. You can always file a report anonymously. Don’t underestimate the impact you have- it’s up to you to shape the world you want to live in!
Thanks for saving me...☺️ 🐾 💙