Motives_for_Animal_Cruelty

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the OSPCA, responds to thousands of reports on animal abuse every year, whether it’s neglect or injury. Out of these cases, only about half of these animals are seized or surrendered. Animal cruelty can range from mild neglect to horrible slaughtering.(HSUS, 2009) Most cases of cruelty investigated involve neglect or abandonment, but it may or may not be intentional.(HSUS, 2009) Intentional neglect may involve deliberately depriving the animal of food, water, shelter or veterinary care.(HSUS, 2009) But cruelty can also involve physically abusing an animal (HSUS, 2009). Physical abuse is when one may torture, mutilate, beat or kill an animal (HSUS, 2009). The writer’s reason for reviewing this literature is to address the issue of animal abuse, to display the connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence, and to show what might motivate a person to harm an animal. Animal cruelty is a concern because other than it being immoral, it may also show psychological problems within a person. This would mean that an offender has already gone through a violent past or may begin to commit acts of violence. The types of family violence that include animal abuse are domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse (HSUS, 2009). About 15% of the reported intentional animal cruelty fell under those factors (HSUS, 2009). According to research, the gender of the perpetrators who were more likely to commit these acts towards animals, were men (HSUS, 2009). Although there were women present in committing these acts as well, the percentage of men was higher. Animal abuse and serious crimes like rape and child abuse have a connection between each other (Pet-abuse, 2009). If the basics of the crimes were broken down, then it will be shown that a human abusing an animal, raping a victim, or even abusing a child, find that they get a feeling of power, joy, and fulfillment because the victim can’t defend itself (Pet-abuse, 2009). "So much of animal cruelty... is really about power or control," said Dr. Randall Lockwood, who has a doctorate in psychology and is senior vice president for anti-cruelty initiatives and training for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet-abuse, 2009). Patrick Sherrill, who killed 14 coworkers at a post office and then shot himself, had a history of stealing local pets and allowing his own dog to attack and mutilate them (Pet-abuse, 2009). People who have abused animals as children are more likely to commit other serious crimes when they’re older, such as murder or assault (Foster, et al, 2009). Studies have also shown that children who have experienced animal abuse, may grow up seeing violence as normal, causing them to abuse an animal or another person in the future (Foster, et al, 2009). Children who grow up in environments with abuse may also vent out their frustration or anger on animals, learning that they have power over a weaker creature (Foster, et al, 2009). This shows that there is indeed a link between animal cruelty and domestic violence. Experts have said than animal abuse is often an early sign of violent behaviour which may occur later on in life, whether towards animals or another person. People who have abused animals may also abuse their family or others. Many studies conducted during the last 25 years have found that many violent offenders have a history of animal abuse, both serious and repetitive. (HSUS, 2009) The FBI has recognized connections between serial killers and animal abuse as well, where they have been found to have tortured or killed animals as children (HSUS, 2009). Other studies have also found connections between animal abuse and offenders of more common crimes such as child abuse, spouse abuse or elder abuse (HSUS, 2009). The American Psychiatric Association also believes animal cruelty is one of the “diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder” (HSUS, 2009). But why would anyone want to harm an animal' There could be many reasons as to why someone would abuse an animal, whether it is unawareness, carelessness, or cruel intentions. It’s often conducted by a person who feels powerless, or insignificant, and under other people’s power. One of their motives may be to intimidate others, to get that feeling of power themselves. Some offenders imitate what they have seen in the past, or what they have experienced themselves, such as child abuse. Some people also see it as a way to get revenge on a person who may care about that animal. By doing this, the abuser may feel more in control, and it could be a way for them to express dominance (Foster, et al, 2009). By inflicting pain on an animal, one might threaten a partner, elderly parent, or child by showing them what could possible happen to them (Foster, et al, 2009). This is how victims of abuse may be taught submission within an abusive household (Foster, et al, 2009). Another motivation for animal abuse would be to discipline their partners for leaving or attempting to leave them (Foster, et al, 2009). Some abusers may also use an animal as excuse to harm another human (Foster, et al, 2009). For example, the abuser may inflict violent acts on a child or partner if the animal misbehaves (Foster, et al, 2009). Also, a person can keep a victim of abuse such as a child from telling others of their abuse by threatening to abuse a beloved pet (Foster, et al, 2009). Another common motive for animal abuse is jealousy (Foster, et al, 2009). This could be due to the pet receiving more attention than the abuser, causing the abuser to want to dispose of the pet (Foster, et al, 2009). In conclusion animal cruelty is a major concern because it’s a living creature that is suffering through something that they shouldn’t have to go through. This research has contributed to this field, because by reading this, people would gain a better understanding of the motives one might have for abusing an animal. By better understanding these motives that contribute to those factors, there is a much better understanding of those who psychologically need help, and it may lead to prevention of further abuse towards animals. Bibliography 1. Frequently asked questions about animal cruelty. (2009, December 06). Retrieved from http://www.hsus.org/acf/cruelty/publiced/frequently_asked_questions_animal_cruelty.html 2. Report animal cruelty. (2009, December 06). Retrieved from http://www.ontariospca.ca/1.shtml 3. Nash, Holly. (2009, December 06). Animal cruelty and human violence: the link. Retrieved from http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm'c=0+1278+1495&aid=3120 4. Cruelty connections. (2009, December 06). Retrieved from http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/abuse_connection.php 5. The humane society of the united states (hsus) first strike® campaign 2003 report of animal cruelty cases. (2009, December 06). Retrieved from http://files.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/2003AnimalCrueltyRprt.pdf 6. Why do people abuse animals'. (2009, December 06). Retrieved from http://files.http://www2.aspca.org/site/PageServer'pagename=kids_ri_whypeopleabuse.org/web-files/PDF/2003AnimalCrueltyRprt.pdf Data from: http://files.hsus.org/web-files/PDF/2003AnimalCrueltyRprt.pdf