Hurting or killing animals can also be a warning sign that someone may be thinking about suicide. By reporting the animal cruelty, you not only help the animal victims but also help the person abusing animals. For one thing, you may save lives. Animal cruelty is a warning sign that should be taken seriously. If the animal cruelty in these cases had been reported, the teens may have been given the help they needed.
Animal cruelty is a crime in all fifty states.
By criminalizing animal cruelty, states actually have set up a system for helping the abuser. In many cases, the court can make sure the person abusing animals takes responsibility for the abuse and gets the help necessary to prevent more violence. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last twenty-five years have shown that violent criminals often have childhood and teen histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its review of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals during childhood. Research has also found patterns of animal cruelty among people who abuse their spouses, children, and elders.