Friday 18 January 2013

About Animal Abuse

Source(google.com.pk)
About Animal Abuse Biography
Beyond the need to recognize and put an end to animal cruelty for the sake of the animal victims involved, also important to note is the very direct connection between animal cruelty and human violence.
In 1997, a survey of 50 shelters for victims of domestic violence and child abuse indicated that during their intake interviews, 85% of women and 63% of children spoke about incidents of pet abuse that occurred within their home.  Further, of the shelter staff surveyed, 83% reported that they have observed the coexistence of domestic violence and pet abuse (Ascione 1997).

In response to this crisis, many domestic violence shelters have begun to partner with local animal protection agencies to create “safe havens” for the pets of the human victims.  Oftentimes, domestic violence victims will delay leaving the violent situation because they know or fear that their abuser will harm their pet as a form of retaliation and control (HSUS).  With the existence of the “safe havens,” the abuse victims in those communities are no longer forced to choose between their pets’ safety and their own.

To continue the unfortunate cycle of violence, victims of child abuse are more likely to become perpetrators of animal cruelty themselves.  In many cases where a child is a constant witness to spousal abuse, animal abuse, or is a victim of abuse himself, he may act out against what he perceives to be the next most vulnerable target – a family pet, or a stray or wild animal (Adams 1992). 

Further, according to data obtained during a 1985 study of 152 men, 102 of whom were serving prison time, childhood animal cruelty was much more prevalent among the violent offenders than among non-violent offenders, or non-criminals (Adams 1992).  It should be noted that most of the world’s most notorious serial killers are known to have had a history of childhood and/or adolescent animal abuse.

Animal welfare organizations have been at the forefront of the push to promote cross-reporting among agencies that handle abuse cases.  Cross-reporting allows for and encourages the protection of all within an abusive situation by providing opportunities to call in any agency that might assist members of the household—for adults, the elderly, children and animals.
There are great strides being made in the United States to end the suffering of animals at the hands of humans.  A greater awareness of the issue of animal cruelty can be attributed to television programming.  Animal Planet, part of the Discovery Network, has showcased the work of animal investigators all over the country by producing shows like Animal Precinct and the Animal Cops and Animal Planet Heroes series.

Many animal welfare organizations offer humane education programs.  Schoolchildren are guided toward participation in service learning and community service projects to bring awareness to the issue of animal cruelty.  According to DoSomething.org , animal welfare, including abuse and neglect, is one of the top three concerns of teens and ‘tweens (George Weiner, personal communication, June 5, 2008).  Awareness, education and community service are effective tools in the fight against animal cruelty.  As hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons, in an anti-cruelty campaign produced by the ASPCA, says, “Cruel’s Not Cool!”

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector
Wherever there is cruelty to animals, there are people working tirelessly to put an end to it.  In 1866 the nation’s first animal welfare organization was chartered in New York City by a wealthy shipbuilding heir named Henry Bergh.  After spending time observing the inner-workings of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Great Britain, he wondered if such an entity would be able to help stop the animal cruelty he’d been witness to on the streets of New York.  Upon arriving home in the states, Bergh drew up the charter for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.   The ASPCA’s official charter was signed on April 10th of that year, and 9 days later, the first enforceable anti-cruelty law was passed.

In the years that followed, other organizations sprang up in the United States that modeled themselves after the ASPCA.  The PSPCA  in Philadelphia, PA and the MSPCA in Boston, MA were among the first two to follow Bergh’s example in 1867 and 1868 respectively.  Well over a century later, SPCA’s and Humane Societies exist in cities, towns and communities across the country to combat animal cruelty.  These organizations would not exist without the dedication of a group of caring individuals who truly believe every life deserves respect and compassion and to live free from pain and suffering.
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse
About Animal Abuse

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