Animal Cruelty and Abandonment

Animal cruelty remains a shocking and prevalent issue, with many cases going unreported. Unlike crimes against humans, incidents of animal abuse are not systematically recorded, making it challenging to determine the true extent of the problem. However, by utilizing the available information, we can begin to comprehend and prevent such instances of cruelty.

Pet abandonment holds severe consequences not only for the animals involved but also for the entire community. Abandoned dogs and cats are left to navigate an uncertain fate on the streets, exposing them to hunger, thirst, injuries, and diseases. Moreover, these animals experience distress and confusion as they are abandoned in unfamiliar surroundings by their owners.

Dumping animals also affects the community in ways that often go unnoticed. These animals may pose a risk to road safety as they wander in search of their owners, potentially running in front of cars. Additionally, they can become a "nuisance" in the community, causing disruptions by rummaging for food, barking at other dogs, or even exhibiting aggression towards individuals due to a sense of insecurity.

Fast Facts

• The animals whose abuse is most often reported are dogs, cats, horses and livestock.

• 9 states have laws to provide felony penalties for animal torture on the first offense. Only Iowa doesn’t have such a law.

• An estimated 10 million animals die from abuse or cruelty every year in the United States.

• Over 110 million animals are killed in U.S. laboratories each year.

• Around 70% of people who committed domestic violence were also found to be animal abusers.