Animal Cruelty

1. Animal Cruelty By: J-Lynn Brittingham, Dominique Hill Cole Vanwey

2. Definition of Animal Cruelty Animal cruelty is failure to adequately take care of your pet or physically abusing them.

3. Different Types of Animal Cruelty Examples of neglect are starvation, dehydration, parasite infestations, no shelter in extreme weather conditions, failure to seek veterinary care when an animal needs medical attention.

4. Common Perpetrators of Animal Cruelty People who have abused animals are often linked to other crimes such as murder, rape and child abuse. The FBI has realize the connection ever since the 1970’s. Analysis of lives of serial killers mention that the majority has killed or tortured animals as children. Other resources have shown frequent patterns of animal cruelty and cruelty towards humans.

5. Ways to Prevent Animal Cruelty • Be aware • Learn to recognize animal cruelty. • Know who to call to report animal cruelty. • Provide as much information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. • Call or write your local law enforcement department. • Know your state’s animal cruelty laws. • Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. • Set a good example for others. • Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. • Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization.

6. What to do if you Want to Report Animal Cruelty If you suspect that an animal has been abused, by someone you know or by a stranger, there are things you can do. The most important act you can take is to report the cruelty to your local law enforcement. In some cities, this may be animal control or a department of Humane Law Enforcement, while in other areas the police or sheriffs. Department may be the agency in charge of these sorts of crimes. Depending on the severity of the case, individuals found guilty may be imprisoned. Appropriate sentencing can also include individual or family counseling, community service, or diversion programs. It is rarely the goal of the authorities to imprison a child for cruelty to animals. Law enforcement officers and judges recognize that cruelty to animals is one part of a complex problem. Sometimes the official response to animal cruelty provides a family its first opportunity to get help.

7. Bibliography http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty.php http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty/neglect.php http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/first_strike_the_connection_between_animal_cruelty_and_human_violence/frequently_asked_questions_about_animal_cruelty.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_cruelty http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_faq http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty/why.php http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/animal_cruelty/reporting_abuse.php http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/first_strike_the_connection_between_animal_cruelty_and_human_violence/frequently_asked_questions_about_animal_cruelty.html http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_faqhttp://www.delspca.org/enforcement.html

8. Slide Selection Slide 1 Slide 5 Slide 2 Slide 6 Slide 3 Slide 7 Slide 4