PLATFORM : Studying and Stopping Patterns of Cruelty

It is for the good of all society--animals and humans alike--that severe criminal sanctions be imposed against those who commit violent crimes against animals. As Henry Bergh, founder of the ASPCA said: “Men will be just to men when they are kind to animals.”

While working at the ASPCA investigating crimes against animals, it became apparent to me that many of the crimes perpetrated against human beings were also being perpetrated against animals: The man who severely beat a dog about the head also beat an elderly, blind man in precisely the same manner; the woman whose racket was selling seriously ill poodles also physically abused and malnourished her invalid sister who, like the poodles, relied solely upon her for care and feeding.

Cruelty to animals is no sure-fire predictor of a person’s ability or desire to act out violently against humans, nor does kindness to animals necessarily signify a tender human heart. Yet it is now believed that one of the first predictors of future criminal behavior in adults may be acts of cruelty to animals by children.

Robert K. Ressler, upon whom the role of chief investigator in the movie “Silence of the Lambs” was based, is the head of the FBI’s behavioral science unit. He has developed profiles of serial killers and says that violent criminal behavior often follows a cycle that includes animal abuse and arson. Jeffrey Dahmer enjoyed torturing cats; Robert Alton Harris, who murdered two kids he met at a drive-in and then downed their hamburgers, also liked to torture animals.

By studying patterns of cruelty to animals, we may indeed achieve a better understanding of the criminal mind. Educators, parents, police, social and health workers must work hard and fast to diagnose and treat offenders of all ages.