What Classifies as Well-Cared-For Animals?
The Certified Humane Animal Care Standards require that:
- Animals are allowed to engage in their natural behaviors.
- Animals are raised with sufficient space, shelter and gentle handling to limit stress.
- Animals have access to ample fresh water and a healthy diet without added antibiotics or hormones.
- Animals are sufficiently protected from the weather.
- Animals are provided with other necessary features that ensure their safety, health and comfort.
- Managers and caretakers are thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in animal husbandry and welfare.
- Managers and caretakers have good working knowledge of their system and the livestock in their care (ASPCA).
What Classifies as Animal Abuse?
"Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse, animal neglect or simply animal cruelty, is the infliction by omission (animal neglect) or by commission by humans of suffering or harm upon any non-human animal, regardless of whether the act is against the law"
Who is Most Likely to Abuse Animals?
Those who intentionally abuse animals are prodominantly men under thirty, however, women over sixty are more likely to be the culprit in the case of animal hoarding.
Two and Two Together
There is a very large correlation between animal abuse and various other crimes, including a large connection to violence against people.
According to the humane society, a staggering 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets. Even worse, 88% of families under supervision for suspected child abuse have been found to have animal abuse occur. In a police study in Australia, it was revealed that "100 percent of sexual homicide offenders examined had a history of animal cruelty".
According to the humane society, a staggering 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets. Even worse, 88% of families under supervision for suspected child abuse have been found to have animal abuse occur. In a police study in Australia, it was revealed that "100 percent of sexual homicide offenders examined had a history of animal cruelty".
Crime Correlation= Stricter Laws? Right?
Wrong. Unfortunately, despite the strong tie between animal abuse and subsequent crimes, animal abuse still has pretty light sentencing. Luckily, in 47 of our 50 states, first offenses are felony level. However, in three states (Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Mississippi) only subsequent offenses equate to a felony charge. Even still sentencing is pretty light. A majority of anti-cruelty laws are geared towards cases of aggravated cruelty, torture, and cruelty to companion animals. That's a pretty slim percentage of animals protected.
What is Classified as Animal Abuse?
-neglect
-industrial/commercialized animal farming
-fighting (chickens, bulls, dogs,etc)
-scientific testing
-abandonment
-lack of pet policies
-hoarding
-circuses
-warfare
-poaching
-cultural rituals (training crush, animal sacrifice, etc)
-industrial/commercialized animal farming
-fighting (chickens, bulls, dogs,etc)
-scientific testing
-abandonment
-lack of pet policies
-hoarding
-circuses
-warfare
-poaching
-cultural rituals (training crush, animal sacrifice, etc)
What exactly is Poaching?
Poaching is when various endangered animals are slaughtered for a specific part of their body, whether it be a tusk, a pelt, or other. These items from the animal are then illegally sold for large sums of money on the black market.
Poaching Epidemic
As a result of poaching, lions are now extinct in seven African countries, less than 900 mountain gorillas remain, approximately 2000 Grevy's Zebras remain, and the Black Rhino population is down 97.6% from 1960.
For more reading on the above subjects, visit the following websites:
National Humane Educational Society
PETA
Humane Society
ASPCA
AWF
ODVN
Wikipedia page on Animal Abuse
National Humane Educational Society
PETA
Humane Society
ASPCA
AWF
ODVN
Wikipedia page on Animal Abuse