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Animal Cruelty and Human Crime

© E. D.

An Ohio man tied a puppy to the bumper of his car and drug it for several miles. A Florida man's dog was found tied to a tree on his property with part of her uterus hanging out. Investigators determined the injuries had occurred the previous week when the man seperated the female from a stray male while mating. These are just a few examples of cruel acts being committed aagainst animals in the United States, according to PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Why should we care what happens to animals? Aside from the ecological balance arguments and population control, people need to be aware of the social implications when they allow continued cruelty without consequences to the perpetrators of such acts.

How does cruelty to animals affect society? Such behavior is not only dangerous and deadly to animals, but also to humans. According to "Characteristics of a Serial Killer", under Etiological Characteristics, "During the childhoods of most serial killers, delinquent acts such as cruelty to animals, pyromania, and theft occurred." One example of a serial killer, who engaged in cruelty to animals was Jeffery Dahmer. Though considered intelligent and middle class, according to the profile, "he had an intese interest in chemistry and dismembering animals." Later, Jeffery Lionel Dahmer, at age 18, committed his first murder in 1979. The profile also stated, "In 1987, Dahmer committed one murder, 2 in '88, 1 in '89, 4 in '90 and 8 in '91 -- until he was caught." This pattern indicated that as Dahmer got 'comfortable' with killing, the number of his victims increased. For more details, you may access: Criminal Profiles .

Another example of a serial killer, whose first victims were animals was Ed Kemper, who in 1963 shot his Grandmother and Grandfather. Though institutionalized until 1972 and under the care of a psychiatrist, Kemper resumed killing. His next eight victims were college girls, which earned him the name of the Co-Ed Killer. His mother and another lady, who was a friend of his mother's, became his last victims. Kemper's first victims were two family cats, which he dismembered. Later, he continued this ritual of dismemberment on his human victims. For more details about Kemper, access: Criminal Profiles.

United Animal Nations states other examples of serial killers, who began torturing and murdering animals in their youth are Ted Bundy, who committed 50 murders and The Boston Strangler, Albert DiSalvo spent his youth trapping dogs and cats in orange crates and shooting arrows into them.

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