During each two-year session of the United States Congress, a number of bills are introduced for consideration by the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congressman Tom Lantos has introduced several bills on important national issues. This legislation seeks to identify and raise awareness of the link between animal and human abuse.
Many violent criminals have histories of mistreating animals.
For example, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer impaled dogs heads, frogs and cats on sticks. The FBI has identified animal abuse as one of the indicators of possible violent behavior against humans. Abusing animals does not dissipate those violent emotions, it may fuel them. This is not the only action that we in Congress should take to deal with violent behavior, but it is a step that shows promise and should be taken.