ANIMAL CRUELTY

Meuthia Reyhaniza
Rifdha Haifa
XI IPA 4
 Every day in the World animals are beaten, neglected, or
forced to struggle for survival. Left in unsanitary conditions
with no food or water, they have little hope as they live out
their days without the compassion they deserve. Some are
found and rescued, given the chance to experience how
great life and humans can be; others aren't so lucky. To grow
as a nation, we must fight for these abused animals' rights
and severely punish heartless owners. It is up to us to speak
for these creatures who lack a voice, for who will if we don't?
One of the first steps in protecting animals and creating effective
cruelty laws is knowing what animal cruelty actually is. There are
two categories: passive cruelty and active cruelty. The first
involves acts of omission, meaning the abuse happens as a result
of neglect or lack of action. Passive cruelty might seem less
serious, but that is not the case; it can lead to terrible pain and
suffering, and ultimately death. Examples include starvation,
dehydration, untreated parasite infestations, inadequate shelter
in extreme weather conditions, and the failure to get medical
care. Passive cruelty is sometimes due to the owner's ignorance,
so many animal control officers will first try to educate neglectful
owners on how to properly care for animals before giving them a
citation or placing them under arrest.
 Active cruelty, on the other hand, is more well known and
disturbing. Sometimes referred to as non-accidental injury,
this type of abuse involves purposefully inflicting harm on an
animal in order to feel more powerful or gain control. Active
cruelty against animals should be taken very seriously, since
it can be a sign that a person has serious psychological
issues and may commit more acts of violence – possibly
against humans.
 It is hard to tell just what drives people to harm innocent
animals. “According to a 1997 study done by the
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals and Northeastern University, animal abusers are
five times more likely to commit violent crimes against
people and four times more likely to commit property crimes
than are individuals without a history of animal abuse,” says
Pet-abuse.com. It is vital to report people who hurt animals.
Most animal abusers find some sort of fulfillment or power in
torturing a victim they know can't fight back, which is why
crimes like rape and child molestation are committed. While
not all animal abusers become serial killers or rapists, it is
important to take every case seriously.
 For example, Carroll Edward Cole was a West Coast serial
killer who may have murdered as many as 35 women in the
1970s and ྌs, and was executed in 1985. Based on Cole's
testimony, his first violent act was strangling a puppy. The
Columbine school shooting is another example of animal
abuse as a precursor to human violence. Before killing 12
classmates and then turning the guns on themselves, Eric
Harris and Dylan Klebod had bragged to friends about
mutilating animals. If these acts had been reported to
authorities and taken seriously, these two young men might
have been put in a proper facility and helped, possibly
avoiding the horrific massacre.
 Given these examples, it's hard to imagine why all states don't
take animal cruelty seriously. Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi,
North Dakota, and South Dakota have no felony provisions for
cruelty to animals. According to the Humane Society, a good
felony anticruelty law should protect all animals, apply to first-
time offenders, carry large fines and lengthy prison time, have no
exemptions, require convicted abusers to get counseling at their
own expense, and prohibit abusers from owning or living among
animals. Along with these laws we need officials who will strongly
enforce them. Police, psychologists, and even the FBI recognize
the link between animal cruelty and violence against people. To
better protect communities, all states should institute strong
penalties and work to increase public awareness of these crimes.
 It's not only up to the legal system to ensure that communities
across the country are aware and educated about animal cruelty.
There are plenty of things everyday citizens can do. The simplest
action is for people to take care of their own pets and learn the
facts so they can educate others on proper animal care. Another
easy way to help is by donating to or volunteering at a local
animal shelter. Contrary to popular belief, volunteering doesn't
require a lot of time; simply going in a few hours a week helps
tremendously. Finally, by writing letters you can remind your local
lawmakers that animal abuse is a real problem that needs to be
addressed. Taking a few minutes to support this worthy cause not
only helps animals, it allows you to feel proud about standing up
for something so important to society.
 It is our job to be the voice for creatures who cannot speak
up for themselves. As a nation we need to make it our
priority to come together and ensure the safety of our
beloved pets. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”