Reseach+Project

Introduction

To animal lovers, violence against animals is cruel and unfathomable. To the rest of the world, it is 'just an animal'. Humans matter more. But aren't humans really the cruellest species of all? Most animals kill for food and territory, but humans kill also for sport, entertainment, fashion, and cosmetics! Many researchers have found that a history of animal violence indicates a high propensity for domestic violence. Simply, those who abuse animals usually move on to human victims. In any case, repeated and extreme violence indicates a serious psychologcial violence that requires immediate treatment.

Animal Cruelty

1) Passive Cruelty (Acts of Omissions):

Passive cruelty is typified by cases of neglect, where the crime is a lack of action rather than the action itself. Severe animal neglect can cause incredible pain and suffering to an animal. In many cases of neglect where an investigator feels that the cruelty occurred as a result of ignorance, they may attempt to educate the pet owner and then revisit the situation to check for improvements. In more severe cases however, exigent circumstances may require that the animal is removed from the site immediately and taken in for urgent medical care.

(Image from animal cops Houston)

2) Active Cruelty (Acts of Omission):

Active cruelty implies malicious intent, where a person has deliberately and intentionally caused harm to an animal, and is sometimes referred to as NAI (Non-Accidental Injury). Acts of intentional cruelty are often some of the most disturbing and should be considered signs of serious psychological problems. This type of behavior is often associated with sociopathic behavior and should be taken very seriously. (Retrieved from [])

Animal Neglect

The most common type of animal cruelty is neglect or abandonment - that is, people not providing adequate care for animals in their charge. These types of cases often involve situations where an animal is left without food, water or shelter, or when proper veterinary care was not obtained. In many of these cases, the underlying reason can sometimes be explained by the caretaker's ignorance. This is why many animal control officers and humane law enforcement officers will first attempt to educate the neglectful caretaker, rather than immediately citing them or arresting them. While ignorance can be blamed in some of these situations, an additional cause that seems to be a major contributor to neglect and abandonment cases is that the pet owner simply does not care. Even people with only the most basic knowledge of animal care can see that an animal has degenerated to the point where it is only skin and bones. Many times, animals are purchased as pets, and simply forgotten about. Animals in this situation however do not merely gather dust. They are slowly starved or dehydrated to death, literally bled dry due to parasite infestations, or slowly garroted by their own collars. (Retrieved from [])



What Is the Impact of Animal Cruelty?
Animals feel pain and fear like we do, but they are often helpless victims because they can't say what happened to them. In fact, some people choose to abuse animals instead of people for this very reason! If we wish to create a humane society, we must stop cruelty against those who are most vulnerable-like animals. Cruelty toward animals does more than cause other living, feeling beings to experience pain and fear— violence toward animals can be an indicator that people are also in danger. Someone who commits animal abuse may have serious psychological problems. Studies have found that many people convicted of violent crimes had a history of animal cruelty. Adults are not the only ones whose cruelty to animals can be a sign of deeper troubles. (Retreived from [])



Why do Abusers Batter Animals?
(Retrieved from [])
 * To demonstrate power and control over the family
 * To isolate the victim and children
 * To enforce submission
 * To perpetuate an environment of fear
 * To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her to return
 * To punish for leaving or showing independence

11 Facts about Animal Cruelty


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In many circuses, wild and exotic animals are trained through the use of intimidation and physical abuse. Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped, poked with sharp objects and even burned to force them to learn their routines!
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Elephants who perform in circuses are often kept in chains for as long as 23 hours a day from the time they are babies.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">More than 25 million vertebrate animals are used in testing in the United States each year. When invertebrate animals are thrown into the mix, the estimated number rises to as high as 100 million.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">By 2022, 22% of all species will be extinct if no action is taken.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">If you live in Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Rhode Island, Illinois, Virginia, Oregon, New York, New Jersey and Vermont you have the legal right to refuse to participate in dissection in class! In Louisiana, there is a State resolution and in Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland and New Mexico, there are Departments of Education resolutions in place that allow you to refuse to dissect, although it hasn't yet become a law.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dog fighting and cock-fighting are illegal in all 50 states.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It is estimated that on average it takes 1,000 dogs to maintain a mid-sized racetrack operation. New greyhounds are continually entering the system to replace greyhounds that grade-off due to injury, age or poor performance. There are currently over 30 tracks operating in the United States.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Tens of thousands of wild and domesticated horses from the United States are cruelly slaughtered every year to be used for horse meat in Europe and Asia. Since the last horse slaughter plants in the U.S. were closed in 2007, thousands of horses have been shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Many studies have found a link between cruelty to animals and other forms of interpersonal violence.
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Neglect and abandonment are the most common forms of companion animal abuse in the United States.
 * 11) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">A fur coat is pretty cool—for an animal to wear. Eighteen red foxes are killed to make one fox-fur coat, 55 minks to make a mink coat.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Retrieved from [])

media type="youtube" key="MKmAZzvctmU" width="425" height="350" <span style="color: #ff1d00; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">**The Connection Between Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty**



<span style="color: #be196f; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">**How is Animal Abuse Related to Domestic Violence?**

In recent years, a strong connection has been documented linking animal abuse and domestic violence. A New Jersey study found that in 88 percent of families where there had been physical abuse of children, there were also records of animal abuse. In Wisconsin, battered women revealed that in four out of five cases, abusive partners had also been violent toward pets or livestock. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conducted its own study in which 85.4 percent of women and 63.0 percent of children reported incidents of pet abuse after arriving at domestic violence shelters.Women who do seek safety at shelters are nearly 11 times more likely to report that theri partner has hurt or killed their animals than women who have not experienced domestic abuse. These numbers are too high.The Chicago Police Department's Domestic Violence Program took a look at the criminal histories of animal fighting/animal abuse arrestees for 2000-2001 and found that approximately 30 percent had domestic violence charges on their records. There is legitimate evidence that the individuals involved in violent acts against animals present a danger to the public that must be addressed. Intentional animal abuse is often seen in association with other serious crimes including drug offenses, gang activity, weapons violations, sexual assault and domestic violence—and can be one of the most visible parts of an entire history of aggressive or antisocial behavior. (Retrieved from [])

<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Facts About Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence




 * In association with t **** he National Coalition Against Domestic Violence **


 * 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals.


 * 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them.


 * 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.


 * Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.


 * Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home.


 * Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet, or to take out their aggressions on another victim.


 * In one study, 70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused saw the animal cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability.


 * Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.
 * For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support: 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family.

(Retrieved from [])
 * Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk.

media type="youtube" key="62p20qdNfKs" width="425" height="350"


 * Why is Humane Education Important? **

One of the most powerful tools we have for preventing cruelty to animals is education. It is important to plant the seeds of kindness in children early, and to nurture their development as the child grows. Children not only need to learn what they shouldn't do, but also what they can do. When children see that their pets are happy and loving, it will make the child feel good, too. This in turn will help the children care for their pets' feelings. Discussing Animal Cruelty with Children Under Six

Every child is unique, and adults should use caution and careful thought when discussing cruelty with children. In general, children under four simply should not be exposed to cruelty. Two-year-olds can begin to learn that their actions make others-including animals-happy and sad. With two- and three-year-olds, discuss their own experiences and how they would feel if they were treated the way they treat their pets or other animals in their immediate lives. Help them relate not only the ways they would feel hurt, but also the ways they would feel happy. With all children under six or so, you may wish to help guide their hands so they can learn how to pet and hold their animal companions. Children do not have fine control over their movements and impulses—they will want to treat their pets with love, but will need a little help from you to do it correctly. Children who are between about four and six often begin to understand basic moral concepts, such as fairness. These children can learn to be kind to animals because the animals "deserve" it. Children may discuss injuries they have had themselves, but do not introduce discussions about other types of injuries. Try to limit discussions of animal cruelty to the simple fact that animals can be hurt; do not describe how they can be hurt (e.g., starvation, physical abuse, etc.).


 * Discussing Animal Cruelty with Children Ages Six to Ten **

With most children who are six to ten years old, you can begin to discuss why someone might be mean to an animal-as long as you make sure the child always keeps in mind that it is wrong to hurt animals. In addition, do not let discussions of animal cruelty satisfy the morbid curiosity some children of this age may have. Children of this age often form some of their earliest memories and impressions about the state of the world beyond their families. It is very important that adults filter what these children perceive! Even if children witness violence as a "bad example" or as a way NOT to act, they are still witnessing violence, and can be strongly affected by it.


 * Discussing Animal Cruelty with Children Ages 10 to 14 **

Many children between 10 and 14 are exploring their self-image and reflecting upon their relationships with others. Studies indicate that children of this age are still strongly affected by violence, so discussions about animal cruelty should still be kept free of details about the violence. Nonetheless, the issue can be raised directly—if delicately—with most of these children. Adults should make it clear that they do not condone violence in their own thoughts and behavior. Children of this age are finely attuned to the words and actions of adults, and still rely on them as role models. Parents, teachers, and trusted adults can also discuss with 10- to 14-year-olds how they would act if their peers or friends treated animals cruelly. By couching the advice in terms of what you would do if you were in a given situation, you can help children overcome peer pressure and follow what they know is right. These children may encounter others abusing animals—knowing that they are in the right and will be supported for standing up to it is very important at this age of strong peer pressure.


 * Discussing Animal Cruelty with Older Children and Teens **

Again, with all children-even older teens-keep in mind the importance of modeling appropriate behaviors. Our children do emulate us, even if they wouldn't admit it. If we treat animals cruelly or as unfeeling machines, our children will probably think that this is right or, at least, normal. The more a child identifies with an adult, the greater an impact that person will have on the child-in both good ways and bad ways. Children who know of animal cruelty should tell an adult about it. Make sure children know who they can trust—such as parents, teachers, police officers, etc.—and nurture their trust so they can tell you. (Retrieved from [])

<span style="color: #808000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Body Condition

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Purina developed The Body Condition System to help pet owners (and investigators) judge if their pet's appearance is normal or not. The images on the right are numbered to correspond with the descriptions below. (Retrieved from [])
 * 1) EMACIATED: Ribs, backbones, pelvic bones, etc. all prominent from a distance. No visible body fat, obvious loss of muscle mass.
 * 2) VERY THIN: Ribs, backbones, pelvic bones easily visible. No palpable fat. Minimal loss of muscle mass
 * 3) THIN: Ribs easily palpated and may be visible with no palpable fat. Top of backbone visible. Pelvic bones becoming prominent. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck.
 * 4) UNDERWEIGHT: Ribs easily palpable with no visible fat covering. Waist easily noted, viewed from above. Abdominal tuck evident.
 * 5) IDEAL: Ribs palpable without excess fat covering. Waist observed behind ribs when viewed from above. Abdomen tucked up when viewed from side.
 * 6) OVERWEIGHT: Ribs palpable with slight excess fat covering. Waist is discernable viewed from above but is not prominent. Abdominal tuck apparent.
 * 7) HEAVY: Ribs palpable with difficulty, heavy fat cover. Noticeable fat deposits over lumbar area and base of tail. Waist absent or barely visible. Abdominal tuck may be absent.
 * 8) OBESE: Ribs not palpable under very heavy fat cover, or palpable only with significant pressure. Heavy fat deposits over backbone and base of tail. No waist or abdominal tuck. Obvious abdominal distension may be present.
 * 9) GROSSLY OBESE: Massive fat deposits on chest, spine, and base of tail. Waist and abdominal tuck absent. Fat deposits on neck and legs. Obvious abdominal distension.



<span style="color: #be196f; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Top 10 Ways to prevent Animal Cruelty by the ASPCA <span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(Retrieved from [])
 * 1) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Know who to call to report animal cruelty. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> We're lucky here at the ASPCA in New York City because we have Humane Law Enforcement Agents who have the power to investigate and arrest perpetrators of animal cruelty in the state of New York. But every state and every town are different. In some areas, you may have to rely on the police department to investigate animal cruelty; in others, you may have to contact local animal control or another municipal agency.
 * 2) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door that was once hefty has lost weight rapidly—a possible indicator of abuse.
 * 3) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Make the call. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> Without phone calls from concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open.
 * 4) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Provide as much as information as possible when reporting animal cruelty. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> The details that you provide can go a long way toward assisting an investigating officer. It helps to write down the type of cruelty you witnessed, who was involved, the date of the incident and where it took place.
 * 5) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Contact your local law enforcement department **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> and let them know that investigating animal cruelty should be a priority. Animal cruelty is a CRIME—and the police MUST investigate these crimes.
 * 6) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> on federal, state and local levels by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. With stronger laws come tougher penalties. As an ASPCA Advocacy Brigade member, you'll receive emails asking you to write letters encouraging your legislators to pass these laws—and you can send them directly from our website.
 * 7) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Set a good example for others. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care they deserve. But it's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Be responsible and have your animals spayed or neutered. And give your pets lots of hugs!
 * 8) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Talk to your kids about how to treat animals with kindness and respect. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> We regularly see children in homes where animal abuse has been reported. If a parent isn't treating the family's pets right, we tell the kids that their dog or cat would really appreciate fresh water every day or some daily playtime. If the animal has been left outside without shelter, we'll say, 'You have a nice house, and if you get cold, you can put a coat on. But your dog can't do that.' Children understand that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness.
 * 9) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Support your local shelter or animal rescue organization. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> It's a great way to make a difference. Some of our ASPCA volunteers foster animals who have been abused in their former homes, giving these dogs and cats the chance they deserve to have a good life. You can find a list of shelters and rescue groups in your area in our National Shelter Directory.
 * 10) **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;">Start a Neighborhood Watch Program. **<span style="color: #626262; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 8.5pt;"> Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviors—abuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What Can Animal Shelters and Humane Organizations Do?
Retrieved from ([])
 * <span style="color: #626262; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Reach out to local domestic violence shelters and establish programs for emergency housing of pets from homes with domestic violence
 * <span style="color: #626262; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">If no space is available, work with animal foster care agencies to establish a network of homes that might provide emergency care for these pets
 * <span style="color: #626262; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Incorporate information on these connections in school programs, particularly those that might reach children at risk of family violence



<span style="color: #800000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What Can Law Enforcement Do?
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">It is imperative that first responders understand the connection between animal abuse and family violence. When responding to domestic calls it is imperative to be alert for signs that children and/or pets might be victimized. Children may be more willing to discuss what has happened to a pet than their own victimization. Retrieved from ([])

<span style="color: #808000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Legal Protections for Animal Victims of Domestic Violence
<span style="color: #626262; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 11px;">Sadly, victims of domestic violence often remain in dangerous or dysfunctional relationships to protect their pets. A study of women seeking temporary "safe haven" shelter showed that 71 percent of those having companion animals reported that their partners had threatened, hurt, or killed their animals. It is likewise well-documented that many more abuse victims never even go to a shelter because they fear for the safety of the pets they must leave behind. In recognition of this phenomenon, several states have passed laws that 1) empower judges to include pets in court-issued orders of protection; and/or 2) include the harm or threat of harm to animals in the state's legal definition of "domestic violence." Retrieved from ([])

<span style="color: #ff1d00; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**ANIMAL VICTIMS/HUMAN VICTIMS:REPORTS FROM POLICE CASE FILES**

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Russell Weston Jr., tortured and killed 12 cats, by burning, cutting their tails, paws, ears off, put toxic chemicals in their eyes, blinding them, forcing them to eat poison, hanging them from trees; the noose loose enough to create a slow and painful death, as the cat/kitten struggles to free itself as the noose gets tighter with each attempt. Later killed 2 officers at our Nation's Capitol."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"On May 21, 1998 in Springfield, Oregon; 15-year-old Kip Kinkel set a live cat on fire and dragged the innocent creature through the main street of town. He walked into his high school cafeteria and opened fire on his classmates. Two classmates were killed and 22 others injured, four critically. Later that day, police found his parents shot to death in their home."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Albert De Salvo, the "Boston Strangler," would place a dog and cat in a crate with a partition between them. After starving the animals for several days, he would remove the partition and watch them kill each other. He raped and killed 13 women by strangulation. He would often pose the bodies in a shocking manner after their murders."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Richard Allen Davis set numerous cats on fire. He killed all of Polly Klaus' animals before abducting & murdering Polly Klaus, aged 12, from her bedroom."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Eleven-year-old Andrew Golden, 13-year-old Mitchell Johnson, tortured and killed dogs. A friend of Golden stated that "he shoots dogs all the time with a .22." On March 24, 1998, in Jonesboro, Arkansas; Golden and Johnson shot and killed four students and one teacher during a fire drill at their school."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Theodore Robert Bundy was forced to witness animal cruelty by his grandfather. He later killed thirty-three women."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Edward Kemperer cut up two cats. He later killed his grandparents, his mother and seven other women."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Richard Speck threw a bird into a ventilator fan. Killed eight women."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Randy Roth taped a cat to a car's engine and used an industrial sander on a frog. Killed two of his wives and attempted to kill a third."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"Joel Steinburg refused medical treatment for his adopted daughter Lisa's pet rabbit when it broke its leg. He later killed her; when she was found, Lisa had extensive bruises all over her body from repeated abuse."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">"David Berkowitz, "Son of Sam," poisoned his mother's parakeet out of jealousy. He later shot thirteen young men and women. Six people died and at least two suffered permanent disabilities."

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Retrieved from ( [])

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Crush videos, also known as squish or trampling videos, cater to fetishists who gain sexual gratification from watching women torture and kill small animals by stepping on them. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Typically, those crushing will use their buttocks or feet, making this fetish popular amongst many foot fetishists, as crushing by feet is usually the main focus. The foot (barefoot or in shoes) is thus often idolized by someone with a crush fetish. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">With the explosive growth of peer-to-peer file sharing networks, the availability and production of crush videos is already increasing dramatically. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Additionally, the increasing popularity of websites that thrive on displaying shocking and violent videos are putting more of these types of videos into the mainstream. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">retrieved from ( [])

<span style="color: #ff6800; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Laws for Animal Cruelty


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 32px;">La ****<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 32px;">w 154 **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 32px;">[[image:animalviolence/animal_violence.jpg]]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Act for the welfare and protection of animals (abstract) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Under Law 154 will be penalized any person who ...


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Fails to provide **minimum care** to an animal, either intentionally or through carelessness or negligence.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Hit, kick, cause physical injury, abuse or torture an animal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Enclose, tie, chain or confine an animal unnecessarily.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do not provide food and water every day.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Keep it dirty or parasitic conditions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Mount to a sick animal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do not provide adequate veterinary care.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Transport hit by a vehicle and do not take the necessary measures to be served.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cause, sponsor, organize, conduct or promote fights between animals.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Transportation under the weather and cause them suffering.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Use traps that cause suffering and / or physical injury.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Venda animals on public roads.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Start or mutilate any part of an animal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Induce ferocity.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Deliberately abandoned, whether permanently or not, and in circumstances that may cause unnecessary suffering.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Voluntarily perform any act that may cause suffering to an animal.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Perform any painful operation without proper licensing and licensing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Exposes any poisonous substance.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Keep an animal in conditions that do not provide adequate ventilation, light, or shelter in which such animal is exposed to excessive heat, cold, inclement weather, sun, rain or dust, without taking proper precautions to prevent this from happening.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** The CARE Act 154 DEFINE AS A MINIMUM ... As care enough to preserve the health and welfare of an animal: **


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Quantity and quality of adequate food.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Adequate access to potable water in sufficient quantity and proper temperature.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Shelter to protect it from inclement weather.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Veterinary care.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Adequate space for exercise.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Temperature for the health of the animal.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Adequate ventilation.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Daylight cycles.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Depending on its scope, the offense may be classified as a felony of the second, third and fourth grade. The punishment for repeat offenders is greater! **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">! The penalties range from ninety days to fifteen years imprisonment and / or from $ 500 to $ 25,000 in fines! **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do not cross arms ... ANIMAL ABUSE REPORTS! Call the police station closest to you! **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Every animal has the right to existence, respect, attention, care and protection by the human being." **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> (Declaration on the Rights of Animals, 1977)

<span style="color: #ff0000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">STOP ANIMAL ABUSE!



<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Did you know that they have rights? **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Know your rights, educate yourself about how we treat and protect.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Take them to the vet, it is very important to stay healthy. They should be vaccinated annually.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Spay or neuter your animal, is a way to keep healthy. They also help prevent further unwanted animals being born.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Do not abandon to their fate. Could be reported. If you can not take care, take it to an animal shelter.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Before adopting or purchasing an animal, consult it in the family. Remember that this can last almost twelve years, so it would be a long engagement.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Laws against crush videos
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">In 1999, Public Law 106-152 (Title 18, Section 48) was enacted. This Federal legislation makes it a felony to create, sell, or possess videos depicting animal cruelty with the intention of profiting financially from them.


 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">18 USC 48 / PUBLIC LAW 106-152 **

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Sec. 48. - Depiction of animal cruelty (a) Creation, Sale, or Possession.Whoever knowingly creates, sells, or possesses a depiction of animal cruelty with the intention of placing that depiction in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">(b) Exception.Subsection (a) does not apply to any depiction that has serious religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">(c) Definitions.In this section(1) the term depiction of animal cruelty means any visual or auditory depiction, including any photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, electronic image, or sound recording of conduct in which a living animal is intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed, if such conduct is illegal under Federal law or the law of the State in which the creation, sale, or possession takes place, regardless of whether the maiming, mutilation, torture, wounding, or killing took place in the State; and

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">(2) the term State means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States

//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">The federal law extends state and federal laws to make possession, creation, or selling of crush videos a felony, regardless of where the video was originally created. //

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">(Retrieved from [])


 * How You Can Help **

National Information

Humane Society of the United States - (202) 452-1100

The HSUS' Animal Fighting Tip Line, 877-TIP-HSUS, is a nationwide tip line that fields calls from across the country to help stamp out organized animal fighting for good. If you have information about illegal dogfighting or cockfighting, call the tip line to talk to an HSUS investigator and your information will be kept confidential. You may also be eligible for a $5,000 reward. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of an animal fighter.

To help stop illegal hunting, familiarize yourself with your state’s wildlife protection laws and report illegal hunting to the state wildlife agency’s tip line. Find the number at www.humanesociety.org/poaching. In Washington, DC

To Report Cruelty/Neglect and Animal Emergencies 24-Hours a Day 202-BE-HUMANE (202-234-8626)

Adopt a Pet - (800) 728-3273 Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is a non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.

DC Humane Society - (202) 723-5730

The Washington Humane Society (WHS), the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States, provides comfort and care to over 30,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter, CatNiPP, humane law enforcement, lost and found, human/animal therapy programs and humane education.



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