Animal cruelty in the US
Although animal cruelty cases are not documented by the federal and state agencies, animal abuse is rampant in the US. Cats, dogs, horses, and livestock are the most abused animals. In 1991, a juvenile located in Raleigh cruelly pierced a puppy’s rectum. In 1992, 10 animals were hacked to death by an unknown assailant in Northern Bronx while the owners were asleep.
Different organizations have been working hard to ensure the statistics on animal cruelty cases are not discovered. For instance, the United States Department of Agriculture erased documents detailing cases of animal abuse on their website, before President Donald Triumph took office. Organized animal cruelty such as dogfighting and cockfighting continues to thrive due to public corruption.
Animal cruelty is related to domestic violence and child abuse. A research conducted in New Jersey in 1982 revealed that 88% of families that abused children also abused animals. 71% of victims who suffered domestic violence also reported that their abusers neglected pets and were cruel to animals. Animal cruelty is correlated to crime and violence, for instance, a man was killed in California due to a 10 dollar bet during a cockfighting event.
Animal cruelty remains a major concern in the US. It is suspected that the number of cases reported every day is just the tip of the iceberg. Stories aired by the media reveal that animal cruelty crosses all social and economic settings. It is practiced in both rural and urban areas. Young men under the age of 30 years mostly perpetrate these acts. Women above the age of 60 are mostly found guilty of hoarding.
Before President Barrack Obama passed the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act in 2010, videos of animal cruelty were widely circulated online. Some contained content of women crushing rabbits with high heels as the animal writhed in pain. While others showed people brutally beating, crushing, suffocating or drowning animals. The act prohibits people from creating and sharing videos of animal cruelty.
President Donald Triumph signed into law the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act that prohibits animal cruelty in the US. The act bans people from intentionally harming animals through burning, suffocation, crushing and other cruel punishments. The penalty for breaking this law encompasses seen years imprisonment, a fine or both.
Animal cruelty cases are popular in the US. Although the exact number of cases is not documented. Reports from the media indicate that animal cruelty is a major concern that needs to be addressed. The Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act and Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act bans the torture and cruel treatment of animals.
References
Lockwood, Randall, and Guy R. Hodge. “The tangled web of animal abuse: The links between cruelty to animals and human violence.” Humane Society News, summer (1986): 10-15.
Flynn, Clifton. “Acknowledging the” Zoological connection”: A sociological analysis of animal cruelty.” Society & Animals 9.1 (2001): 71-87.
