WASHINGTON (Reuter) - People who abuse animals are often likely to assault or abuse other people as well, according to a survey conducted in the United States and published Tuesday.
The survey, commissioned by the Humane Society of the United States, found that nearly 30 percent of all incidents involving cruelty to animals also involved violent crimes against people.
It surveyed law enforcement agencies, local animal care agencies and media reports from across the country between September 1996 and the end of August this year.
Of the cases involving both animal and human victims, 87 percent of the perpetrators were male, and 84 percent were adults. Dogs were the most frequent victims, being abused in 45 percent of cases. They were shot, burned, poisoned and hanged.
"Among the men involved in both animal cruelty and human violence, the most common charges were domestic violence (28 percent), child abuse (27 percent) assault (10 percent) and murder (6 percent)."
Women who abused animals were most likely to be child abusers, the survey found.
Copyright 1997 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
| Wow, i enjoyed that, and would like to see what other wacky stories lie in store for me |
| Boy, this entire news about laser and dogs thing is way lame... I wonder if there could possibly be anything lamer on this page? |