The Many Facets of Animal Cruelty

Despite it being an enormous problem, specific figures noting the exact frequencies and scope of animal cruelty in the United States do not seem to exist. However, investigators, researchers, government officials and many others have explored several different areas to attempt to pinpoint why animal cruelty is such a big problem in the United States. From the areas of general crime which statistically prove to be most connected to crime (age, gender, socioeconomic status and race), at least three of these have also been closely related to animal cruelty.

Researchers from around the country have looked at many different connections between people and animal cruelty, and it is clear that this crime cannot and does not exist within itself. As is true with all crimes, outside factors must play a part. In looking at much of the research done on animal cruelty, I have concentrated on five distinct (but interconnected) areas of research that contribute most to the problem of animal cruelty in the United States.

First, research has been done which looked at the relationship that former crimes unrelated to the crime of animal cruelty have to the attitudes one has toward animal cruelty. Secondly, as with many crimes, I posited whether or not the act of cruelty to animals can be, and is, a learned behavior. Research has been conducted in this area to suggest that those who commit the crime of animal cruelty learn it from family members, friends, and, in juveniles, fellow children of the same age as the offender.

I also thought about how family life and animal cruelty might coincide with one another. Specifically, I examined research that explored the connection between being a victim of domestic abuse and how that could play a part in that individual committing a cruel act against an animal.

Closely related to the idea of domestic violence, I also looked at the connection between an individual who witnesses an act of animal cruelty within the home, and their likelihood of performing such an act themselves.