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Emily Daniels

Van Velzer

Beginning Composition Block 4

20 April 2014

Putting an End to Revenge

Animal cruelty is a worldwide issue that causes animals and pets to suffer from the hands

of humans, and it is important that upstanders take action to help these animals. Animal cruelty

can range from abuse to animal fighting to animal hoarding and owners not properly caring for

their pets. It is very important that this issue is given upstanding to save the lives of humans and

animals alike, and actions can be taken by giving the abused animal the care it needs or by

simply alerting officials such as the police of a suspected offender within the local area.

Animal cruelty is an important and critical issue involving the suffering of animals and

pets. According to Darice Britt from South University, the Senior Manager of the Media and

Communications of the American Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Bret

Hopman, claims, there is no simple answer to the question what is animal cruelty since the

definition differs from state to state cruelty is often used as a catch-all for offenses against

animals, including animal abuse, neglect, animal fighting, abandonment, and practicing

veterinary medicine without a license. (Britt). Animal cruelty can cause immense emotional and

physical pain on an animal or pet, and it can cause it to lose trust in their owner or act fearfully or

aggressively towards humans. These violent crimes can lead to serious injury and often death. It

is critical that action is taken immediately for these animals so that they can be saved from death

and can learn to trust humans again.

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People need to take action on animal cruelty so that animals and humans can have a safer

lifestyle It is not only the fact that animals are being tortured and killed, but animal cruelty can

lead to even worse crimes that are committed by the offender. According to Ian Urbina of the

New York Times, the director of legislative affairs with the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Stephen

Otto, states, Its not the animal abuse thats more prevalent. What has changed over the past few

years is the recognition that animal abuse is often a warning sign for other types of violence and

neglect. (Urbina). Frank R. Ascione, a professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of

Social Work, also claims, The research is pretty clear that there are connections between

animals abuse and domestic violence and child abuse, (Urbina). If upstanders are able to catch

offenders in the act of abusing or neglecting an animal, it is possible for them to prevent similar

crimes on other humans such as their children or other family members. Signs of animal abuse

can also alert officials that the offender is committing other abusive crimes within the household.

This may be used as a warning that the offender will commit these violent crimes in the near

future.

People can take action on this issue by helping the animal or pet that is being abused or

neglected. When I was in elementary school, I was awakened by a loud bang that had come from

downstairs. I had told myself that it just my dad making noise downstairs, so I began to get ready

for the day as usual until I saw my dad running out of the backyard screaming that our cat had

killed a baby hawk outside. My mom and I immediately ran outside to investigate, and saw a

full-grown kestrel (A type of hawk that grows to be the size of a sparrow) laying paralyzed on

the concrete, its talons twitching to show signs of life. I quickly realized that the sound I had

heard that morning was the sound of the kestrel slamming against the giant window facign the

backyard, so my mom put the paralyzed bird into a shoe box and we drove to the UC Davis
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Raptor Center, where a student helped the tiny raptor spread its wings and begin to move again.

Similar actions can be taken if abused animals are discovered, since they will most likely need

veterinary care immediately. It is crucial that the animal or pet is taken away from the abuser or

harsh environment as well, so that is given a safer lifestyle where it can recover and heal.

Upstanders can also take action by simply alerting authorities about the suspected

offender. This can be the simplest and most effective for of upstanding for animal cruelty.

According to Darice Britt, Criminal Justice director at South University Roger H. Humber

claims, Punishments range from misdemeanor to felony sanctions, depending on the case of the

perpetrators mental intent regarding such abuse. (Britt). In Renee Pilchers article in the

Sunshine Coast Daily, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of Queensland Jarrod Bleijie

claims, The offense of serious animal cruelty will carry a maximum of seven years in prison

and it will target people who intentionally inflict severe pain and suffering upon an animal.

(Pilcher). If officials such as the police are alerted about suspected animal abuse, they can punish

the offender and decrease the likelihood of the offender abusing again. The actions towards

abuse the offender has taken will also be on record so that abusive behavior in the future can be

prevented. The animal will most likely be taken away from the offender as well.

It is important that upstanding is taken on the issue of animal cruelty so that the live of

both animals and humans are safe. Animal cruelty can range from abuse and animal fighting to

animal hoarding, and actions can be taken by alerting the police of a suspected offender of

animal cruelty or taking the animal to veterinary care immediately. We, as upstanders, need to

take action against animal cruelty so that the Earth can be a safer and happier place for all living

creatures, great and small.

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Works Cited

Britt, Darice. Animal Cruelty and Neglect Exposed. . South University, n.d. Web. 2 May 2014.

http://source.southuniversity.edu/animal-cruelty-and-neglect-exposed-115795.aspx.

Pilcher, Renee. Animal tortures face up in seven years in jail in Qld. Sunshine Coast Daily 28

Mar. 2014: n. pag. Print.

Urbina, Ian. Animal Abuse as a Clue to Additional Cruelties. New York Times 17 Mar. 2010: n.

pag. Print.