Do not ignore even minor acts of cruelty. Correct the child and express your concerns to his or her parents. Urge your school district, judicial system,and child welfare service agency to take acts of animal cruelty seriously. Take seriously children's reports of animal abuse in the home. Animal abuse, by a parent or child, is one indicator that a child may be at risk of abuse.
Early intervention can some times prevent the abuse from ever occurring.
Animal abuse can also mean that child abuse is already occurring. Some children who will not talk about their own abuse will reveal what is happening to their pet. If a child describes animal abuse in the home, the school counselor and psychologist should be immediately notified, as well as the local animal welfare agency, which can check up on the care of any animals in the home. Be on the lookout for other indicators of child abuse and neglect. The references listed on the back of this brochure will help you identify other critical indicators.