Please visit the following websites to read more about the relationship between violence
towards animals and violence towards people
"One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child, is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it."
-~ Margaret Mead, Anthropologist
"Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission - to be of service to them whenever they require it...If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men."
~Saint Francis of Assisi
"All the arguments to prove man's superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: In suffering, the animals are our equals."
-- Peter Singer, from Animal Liberation
"Animal cruelty is a key trait for conduct disorders in an American Psychiatric Association profile. The FBI also acknowledges animal abuse as a stage along the violence continuum."
July 18 issue
"As Mike Markarian wrote last week, animals have friends of all political stripes. Matthew Scully, a former speech writer for President George W. Bush and political conservative, speaks out eloquently against animal cruelty. Read more in this week's Newsweek."
"It has been proven over and over. Statistical data, case studies, psychologists, and even FBI Profilers show us the connection over and over again, and yet animal abuse crimes are not given nearly the weight that human crimes are given. Animal abuse clearly illustrates a lack of empathy for the suffering of others, which is a signficant characteristic of sociopathic personalities."
"Animal abuse doesn't occur in isolation; rather, it takes place in a complex net of disturbed family relations. For example, animal abuse is frequently found in families where there also is child abuse and domestic violence. Children in these disturbed families who witness the
abuse of family companion animals are more likely to abuse animals; in addition, children who commit animal cruelty are more likely to
engage in criminal behavior as adults. We also see a close link between domestic violence and animal abuse. In one national survey of
women seeking shelter from domestic violence in safe houses, 83% of women with companion animals reported that their batterers had
also hurt or threatened the family pet."
"Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals....Animal abuse is not just the result of a minor personality flaw in the abuser but rather a symptom of a deep mental disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty toward animals don't stop there; many of them move on to their fellow humans."
"Researchers Alan Felthouse and Stephen Kellert found that a child who learns aggression against animals is more likely to rape, abuse, and kill other humans as an adult. Thus, it is reported that the nation's most violent criminals exhibited excessive cruelty towards animals."
"The link between violence and animals has been recognized, researched, studied, and documented, but there remains a gap in understanding why our dogs and children are becoming violent."
"The First Strike® campaign was created in 1997 to raise public and professional awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence and to help communities identify some of the origins of violence, predict its patterns, and prevent its escalation."
"The Link between child abuse, animal cruelty, and other crimes of violence against humans has now been well established. Child and animal protection professionals have recognized that abuse of both animals and children is linked within a self-perpetuating cycle. Statistics nationwide indicate that this Link is a problem of national concern, and breaking this cycle of violence has become a top priority for thousands of communities nationwide."
"......men who abused animals were 5 times more likely to have been arrested for violence against humans, 4 times more likely to have committed property crimes, and 3 times more likely to have records for drug and disorderly conduct offenses."
"This Bulletin, (Juvenile Justice Bulletin, September 2001) describes psychiatric, psychological, and criminal research linking animal abuse to violence perpetrated by juveniles and adults."
"Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Animals feel pain and fear like we do, but they are often helpless victims because they can't voice what happened to them. In fact, some people choose to abuse animals over people because animals for this very reason! If we wish to create a humane society, we must stop cruelty against those who are
most vulnerable--like animals."
Resources on the Approach of Teaching Children about Animal
Abuse and Treating Those who Abuse Animals
AniCare Child: An Assessment and Treatment Approach for Childhood Animal Abuse
Author/Producer: Written by Mary Lou Randour, PhD; Susan Krinsk, LMHC; and Joanne L. Wolf, MA, CAC; Produced by
"The AniCare Model of Treatment for Animal Abuse is now in use in thirty states. It is the first professionally developed
psychological intervention program for animal abusers over the age of 17. AniCare Child gives clear, step-by-step advice on
how to assess and treat young people who abuse animals. It was created by experts in the field who have worked to determine
the most effective methods of treatment."
The book addressess; "childhood animal abuse and how it often precedes further acts of violence and/or is symptomatic of
family violence. Information on how to effectively assess the situation, factors to consider when determining the severity of the
problem, and additional disorders that are often associated with children who abuse animals. Addresses specific methods that
can be used to treat animal abusers. Explains how to establish a nurturing relationship with the child; describes the importance
of helping the child learn how to identify, express, and regulate his or her feelings; and provides a variety of specific, therapeutic
exercises that can be used to develop the skills that the child needs to improve his or her behavior. Numerous case studies
show the reader how to successfully implement the exercises."
"TeachKind's mission is to provide you, the educator, with free high-quality lesson plans and materials that will help your students develop critical-thinking skills, empathy, compassion, and civic responsibility while empowering them to take compassionate action for animals in their own communities. We also help educators and schools implement healthy and humane educational policies that benefit students, educators, and animals. TeachKind is the education program of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that is funded primarily by the generous donations of members and supporters."
More from this website
"The world is a dangerous place to live in, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who
stand by and let it happen."
~ Albert Einstein
