Running head: ANIMAL CRUELTY 1

Animal Cruelty

Adlar H. Feldotte

Swan Valley High School

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Animal Cruelty

Milan Kundera, a ​Czech-French writer, once said,​ ​"Humanity's true moral test, its

fundamental test, consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals." Animals

are the most selfless creatures of this world, so why would someone abuse them when they have

no protection? Numerous animals suffer each day. Animal cruelty is a significant problem in this

world. Knowing what animal cruelty is, who is committing the crime, the different

classifications, and what people are doing to prevent it can help promote the understanding of

animal cruelty.

Animal cruelty is any infliction by a human to a non-human. Animal cruelty is most often

reported ​with “dogs, cats, horses and ​livestock​” ("Animal cruelty facts and stats," n.d.). These

animals are owned as pets or farm animals. Often, cases are not reported due to the lack of

seriousness compared to other crimes. Although, many organizations have brought attention to

the topic.

There are many attributions of abuse to animals of adolescents that accrue later in life

their life. A study in federal prisons showed that “70% of the most violent prisoners [have] had

serious animal abuse in their histories” ​("Animal Neglect Facts: How to help a neighbors

neglected animal," 2018)​. ​An abundance of cases has shown that children abusing animals can

lead to serious events later in life. For example, Jeffery Dahmer, an infamous murderer who

killed and cannibalized 17 men, "​had impaled dogs’ heads, frogs, and cats on sticks” as an

adolescent ("Animal Abuse," 2014). These actions have ​led to murderous crimes later in his life.

Also, ​“43% of mass school shootings” have involved people who have committed crimes

involving animals ​(Animal Neglect Facts: How to help a neighbors neglected animal," 2018).
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Helping people with these types of issues may help protect the lives of animals and other humans

that could be affected in the future.

People who are cruel to animals come in many shapes and sizes. Those who

“[i]ntentionally [abuse] animals are predominantly men under 30” while those ​people who

unintentionally abuse animals “are more likely to be women over 60” ​("Animal cruelty facts and

stats," n.d.). It would be easy for someone to believe that men under 30 are intentionally cruel to

animals, but it is hard to believe that about women over the age of 60. ​Either way, it is the

animals who pay the price.

Animal cruelty classifies into two main categories; active and passive. ​Active animal

cruelty is when "a person has deliberately and intentionally caused harm to an animal" ("Animal

Abuse," 2014). This means that they are committing the act intentionally. The abuser is aware of

his/her actions. Active animal cruelty includes beating, torturing, killing, or any other thing that

causes intentional physical harm to the animal. Passive animal cruelty is when "the crime is a

lack of action rather than the action itself" ("Animal Abuse," 2014). This means that the abuser

does not intend to harm the animal but actually did.

Dogfighting is a major form of animal cruelty. This classifies as active animal cruelty.

People train dogs to fight others. They "​are regularly conditioned for fighting through the use of

drugs, including anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass and encourage aggressiveness"

("Dogfighting," n.d.). Not only is the fighting dog being abused, but ​other animals (mostly small)

are hurt in the process of this. Smaller animals, especially dog breeds, are used to train the dog to

fight. They are thrown into the ring as bait for practice kills for the fighters. This is done for
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entertainment and the purpose of monetary betting. They gather people, place bets, and

frequently commit other illegal actions, such as drug dealing.

Dogfighting is not the only form of animal exploitation. Zoos, aquatic theme parks and

circuses are viewed as entertainment when in reality the animals involved are forced to perform.

Some believe that animals can be used for monetary gain. When people go to the circus, they are

able to see the animals roam around the stage. What they don’t see is that “96 percent of a circus

animal’s life is spent in a cage” because of transportation from city to city ("What Is Animal

Cruelty and How Can We Stop it For Good?," 2019). Zoos might also seem as if they treat their

animals with care. However, “​from starving animals to sending them to livestock options,” zoos

have been known for widespread animal cruelty ​ ("What Is Animal Cruelty and How Can We

Stop it For Good?," 2019). Show animals are forced into obedience in cruel ways while the

abuser profits.

Animal hoarding is also a major form of animal cruelty​ (see Appendix A)​. Animal

hoarding is ​when one person has many animals without the means of proper care. This is not

seen as a big problem because it appears the person is caring for many animals. However, it

becomes a problem when the living conditions become unsafe. When the animals are not fed,

given proper care, or other basic necessities, then it becomes a problem. Animal hoarding affects

several types of animals. In fact, “[e]very year in the United States, a quarter of a million animals

fall victim to hoarding” ("Animal Hoarding," n.d.). Many are unaware their actions are abusive,

making it a passive form of animal cruelty. They believe that they are helping care for animals

but they are not.

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Neglection is a serious result of animal hoarding. Neglect due to animal hoarding is

different from that as a result of disinterest. Even though there is no physical abuse present, the

animal experiences emotional abuse. Some believe it is suitable for an animal to go days without

food and water. Many animals don’t get to live a deserved life because they “spend their entire

lives in neglectful circumstances” and eventually die ​("What Is Animal Cruelty and How Can

We Stop it For Good?," 2019). Unfortunately, people are often unwilling to spend the time to

care for their pet.

One act of animal cruelty that is considered both passive and active is puppy milling.

This a serious problem within the United States. People breed in mass dogs to make a profit. The

puppies usually housed in harsh conditions. Many times the breeder can breed a specific dog that

someone desires, but then are left with a litter of puppies. All these dogs are put into one mutual

area and are “plagued with illnesses like kidney or heart disease as a result of the conditions

they’re kept in” ("11 Facts About Animal Cruelty," n.d.). Breeders charge top dollar for their

excessive, sickly puppies in order to make a profit.

Animal activists and lovers are doing everything they can to prevent animal cruelty. It is

not seen as a serious crime, although it should be taken seriously. Organizations like the Humane

Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

(ASPCA) hold many fundraisers to rescue animals from dire situations. Recently, there is a new

act placed to prevent animal cruelty: The Animal Cruelty and Violence Intervention Act of 2019.

This act “[p]revents animal abuse by ensuring the most serious offenders are evaluated by mental

health professionals and receive appropriate counseling” ("Animal Cruelty & Violence
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Intervention Act of 2019 - California Legislation," 2018). This will assist those who have

problems and keep them from committing these vile acts again.

Animal cruelty is an important topic in my life. My first dog, Cricket, is a rescue dog (see

Appendix B). She was used as a bait dog ​in a drug house in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They had a

dogfighting business on the side of their drug dealing. She luckily got away and ran from the

abuser. The abuser caught up to her, hit her, and forced her into her filthy cage. Then a bystander

demanded the dog and the drug dealer instantly threw the cage at him, exclaiming some foul

words in the process. If this bystander did not stand up for Cricket, she would not be living the

life she deserves. It hurts me to think that my dog was a victim of animal cruelty and that other

animals do not get the chance she did. For my project, I want to volunteer at a local animal

shelter for a day. Before I volunteer, I want to start a giving tree for the local animal shelter by

calling and getting a list of items that are needed within the shelter. The giving tree would take

place in my mom’s classroom where anyone can donate items to the shelter.

Animal cruelty is a prominent problem in today’s society. ​Knowing what animal cruelty

is, who is committing these crimes, understanding the different classifications, and what is being

done to prevent it can help in the decline of the issue. Animals are suffering every day. They are

being neglected, exploited, beaten, tortured, and even killed. Animals are capable of

companionship, loyalty, and love but when abused they experience pain and fear. They are

selfless creatures that have no voice to speak up for themselves, yet they are abused. Animals

need to be protected from abuse. With awareness of animal cruelty in the world, there will be

more influenece to end it. Animals deserve to live a righteous life and they need help to achieve

that.
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Appendix A

Animal hoarding with dogs​ ("Animal Hoarding," n.d.).

Appendix B

My dog, Cricket.
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References

11 Facts About Animal Cruelty. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-animal-cruelty

Animal Abuse. (2014, November 24). Retrieved from

https://wildlife-rescue.org/services/advocacy/animal-abuse/

The Animal Cruelty & Violence Intervention Act of 2019 - California Legislation. (2018,

February 26). Retrieved from

https://aldf.org/project/the-animal-cruelty-violence-intervention-act/

Animal cruelty facts and stats. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/animal-cruelty-facts-and-stats

Animal Hoarding. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/animal-hoarding

Animal Neglect Facts: How to help a neighbors neglected animal. (2018, June 14). Retrieved

from https://aldf.org/article/animal-neglect-facts/

Dogfighting. (n.d.). Retrieved from ​https://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/dogfighting

What Is Animal Cruelty and How Can We Stop it For Good? (2019, October 9). Retrieved from

https://sentientmedia.org/animal-cruelty/