Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence: Intersections of Abuse
Animals are an important and valued part of many families and cultures. In many households, animals are considered members of the family, receive Christmas and birthday presents, and are cared for just as a human child would be. Opposition to animal cruelty has even become a sort of universal value in American culture(Kordzek 604). But animals are uniquely vulnerable to abuse, and despite this they still do not receive much needed protection from the law. The penalties for animal cruelty are not frequently severe enough to even deter one from harming an animal. This is dangerous not only for animals, but for human beings too. Animal cruelty and domestic violence have been proven to correlate in countless ways, and recognizing animal cruelty as a serious criminal offense and a form of domestic violence would serve to protect both animals and human beings from needless acts of violence. Instituting stiffer criminal penalties for animal cruelty and increasing the protective measures for victims of abuse is necessary to further the protection of both animals and human beings.
1 While the act of needlessly brutalizing an animal is considered reprehensible by most, the penalties for animal cruelty say otherwise. Typically classified as a low-level offense or a misdemeanor, punishments for abusing animals are not frequently very severe. A misdemeanor offense can be punishable by
1. ATTENTION GETTER: Millions of animals are abused each year. Over a million of these animals are abused or killed just due to the involvement with domestic violence. Despite animal cruelty being a felony which can result in jail time for over 15 years and 500,000 dollars in fines, it is still an issue which occurs on a daily basis across the United States. It is important for these animals to not go unnoticed, which can be achieved if society became more enlightened and educated on the topic of animal cruelty. (Pacelle, 2011).
While there is a common belief that Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence are two separate issues, but, upon closer investigation proves there is a prominent correlation between the two. Despite the whether you believe animals and humans should be given equivalent attention remains a debated subject.
Every 60 seconds an animal is abused. Dogs, cats, horses, and many other types of animals are being neglected and tortured everyday, yet resulting in few and minor consequences for the perpetrators. Animal abuse is prevalent in the United States and has been an ongoing issue since the 1970's, and prior to. Society as a whole has chosen to avoid the facts and arguments about animal cruelty, because to some it is seen as acceptable and typical. It becomes much more frowned upon when people actually see the results of the cruelty, especially in the media.
Over the centuries, animals have suffered from cruelty from humans. In the United States, animals are beaten, neglected, or forced to struggle for survival. Animals have been inflicted with pain from humans for reasons other than self-defense. They have been slaughtered for their food and fur for personal gain in profit. In a majority of cases they have even been abused for someone’s own personal amusement or out of rage filled impulses. In some cases animals are found and rescued. They are given the second chance in life to experience what life should be like compared to what they once had.
Many people do believe that animal abuse is a problem within society that should be monitored, but granting animal rights is an effective way to diminish physical abuse. In fact, “Animal abuse is one of the most reliable indicators of domestic violence and abuse of children” (Akhtar). Individuals who practice animal abuse are usually associated with similar types of abuse towards other individuals within their life. By passing laws that would grant animals rights and protect them against abuse, America would also be targeting individuals who habit domestic violence towards their wife and
It is important to stand up in what you believe in because if I do not I would probably be in jail or something like that. The things that I stand up in what I believe is animal abuse.
Animal abuse is a terrible crime that affects all living creatures around the world. In the U.S., you can take action by learning which laws exist in your area and work to strengthen them through petitions and writing to your government representatives. You should also learn how to report animal cruelty nearby. As these examples show, the punishment is often not even close in proportion to the crime. It’s up to us to lend our voices to the
For many years, animals have been getting abuse all over the world. Animals are not getting the right treatment that they deserve. All over the world there are law enforcements for this crime. Animal Cruelty and Neglect is an issue that not everyone looks at or pays attention to. Those who are neglecting these species should receive a form of punishment due to them thinking that it’s just a senseless act. Connections of human violence and animal cruelty are under looked within family lifestyles. Unintentional, intentional, and cruel intention all maybe the forms of prior human abuse that can disrupt the future decisions.
When you come think about pets, your dog or cat, you think of how cute and cuddly they are and how much you love them and how much they love you. Your pet is like your child, an animal that will love you unconditionally and it's your responsibility to take good care of it. But there are some people out there that could care less about the animal that they decided to bring home. Many animals are often abused by their owners and a dog or cat doesn't have to be physically abused to feel neglected. There are two kinds of animal abuse and that is passive abuse and active abuse. Such things as not providing food or water, or not providing good shelter in bad weather conditions, or failing to provide medical care that can be seen as passive abuse.
Everyday an innumerable amount of animals are brought into pounds and shelters because their owners abused them. Imagine your dog or other pet, alone on the streets at night battered with bruises and gashes, and hungry fighting for its life. Around 7.6 million animals die like this. Some of these animals that have been abused could end up in a shelter or in a pound if it's lucky. Some never get out and die in a pound or shelter because they can’t find a forever home. Did you know that all 50 states consider animal cruelty a felony in one form or another but, there is no federal animal cruelty law. Instead, cases are handled on a state by state basis. Animal Cruelty is a appalling and cruel thing that needs to have stricter laws and should be taken more seriously. Some of the worst animal cruelty actions are animal testing, dog fighting and puppy mills.
So by increasing the chances of abusers getting caught, the number of cases should go down. Also, the increase in the amount of those who will look for animal abusers may lead to a decrease in the rates of domestic violence/abuse as well. According to the American Humane Association, “13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence” (“Facts About Animal Abuse 1”). This solution has been used before, according to a South University, which stated that “[t]he ASPCA has urged lawmakers to sponsor stronger legislation designed to protect animals, increase the ability to enforce existing laws, and improve funding for animal programs aimed at prevention” (Britt 4). Increasing the ability to enforce existing laws will largely help to put a stop to the maltreatment of
Animal cruelty also called animal abuse is a human infliction of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal, for purposes other than self-defense or survival. Each year more than 100 million animals and birds are killed in laboratories for medical testing, chemical testing and drug testing. Animals are also killed for their skin and leather. Animals are being killed and tortured for many purposes around the world.
When it comes to learning about animal abuse, people often bury their head in the sand, saying “I don’t want to know”. Sadly, this inaction actually helps animal abusers continue their cruelty unhindered. Every second, there is an enormous number of animals suffering pain worse than you or I could ever imagine, throughout the world at the hands of humans. Animal abuse has been a serious problem compared to the past. Acts of violence or neglect against animals are considered animal cruelty. Cruelty to animals can be prevented at all costs, by educating people about abuse of animals and reporting suspicious activity to the local law enforcement or animal control. People that abuse and are cruel to animals should be punished because
Throughout the world there are many different types of animal abuse that take place daily. A few examples are animals at circuses, slaughterhouses, dogfights etc.; and these examples are the ones that people are mostly not aware of happening. Most of the population thinks only about animal abuse on the streets or at homes; but there are over twenty types of animal abuse found around the world that most humans don’t know about. It is time that the population opens their eyes and sees the horrible things that are happening right under their noses. It is time that the population stands up to do something for these innocent and harmless animals whose suffering far outweighs the suffering that we hear about among human beings. It is time for this animal abuse to stop, once and for
Animal abuse and domestic violence occur in today's society and is overlooked by the general population, but should not be taken lightly. These forms of abuse are usually seen as different matters at hand, that is until the two become connected. Many people think nothing of this issue of animal abuse and domestic violence being connected, but little do they know this problem is continuing to grow everyday and you may not even know it. This issue is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Adults or children in fact abuse animals to show and feel many different things. For example animals may be used as a pawn to show the victims what will happen to them if they either misbehave or not do as they are told. Also even victims themselves