Animals and Human Society
Animals are an integral member of the human society. In many cases, animals co-exist with human beings as pets or domestic animals. In essence, the co-existence of animals and human beings aim to enhance human lives through the provision of a variety of services to the human beings. Pets assistance in creating an emotional cushion to individuals through the provision of companionship. Domestic animals provide services that range from meat, milk and even transportation services. It is therefore of essence to treat animals humanely since there is a great correlation between the treatment of animals and fellow human beings by an individual. (Randall Lockwood, 2008)
Definition of Animal Cruelty
The bad treatment of animals may occur in various ways. Animal abuse can be described as the socially, unacceptable, non-accidental behavior that causes unnecessary pain, suffering, distress and or death to an animal (Ascione and Shapiro, 2009). This shows that animal mistreatment is often committed with evil intention due to various reasons which may range from the need for entertainment to being victims of anger and frustrations by the owner. However, animal mistreatment can also occur due to ignorance. This is heavily reported in the animal farming industry, where animal rearing is done with the disregard of sanitary conditions of the animals in question. (Brandt and Perry, 2008)
Types of Animal Cruelty
Neglect
Recent research indicates that Animal cruelty across many states in the United States has accelerating speedily. Majorly, Animal cruelty exists in two main forms. Animal cruelty may occur due to neglect. In this case, the owner of the animal in question abandons his/her caring responsibilities towards the animal. The People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals society reports that many animal rearing facilities do not achieve the threshold of an animal rearing facility. Thus, many animals that are reared for the provision of meat, eggs and milk live in deplorable conditions. Many animals are crammed into a limited space, leading to minimal movement and freedom. Also, these conditions allow for the thriving of animal diseases that claim many of these animals. In other cases, a horse owner may not feed a horse accordingly, letting the horse suffer from starvation. This results to the cruelty of the animal.
Deliberate Cruelty
Cruelty of animals may occur due to its initiation by human beings. In this case, cruelty of animals results due to the indulgence of animals in various activities that are viewed as a sport by their owners. In many states, cockfighting and dogfighting have been rampant, resulting to animal cruelty. The Humane Society of the United States of America documents that about 1,423 cases reported of pet abuse in the year 2011.
The American Society for the prevention of Cruelty of animals reports that dogfighting has been on an increase in the United States. Overall, people can be senseless. Thus, many dogs are raised for the purpose of entertainment. In principle, dogfighting dens create a leeway for gambling activities. Although dog fighting may be viewed as a sport, the ASPCA reports that this leads to the unnecessary cause of injury to the dogs involved in the fights and thus should be put to a stop.
Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human-Based Violence
A 2009 study of 860 college students looked at the link between animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence. It was found that half of the students had experienced at least one form of violence in the home when growing up. Of interest is that individuals who witnessed animal cruelty were 8.14 times more likely to become a perpetrator (Randall Lockwood, 2008). This exhibits the high correlation between Animal Abuse and human-based violence. Animal Abuse can be an indicator of violence towards individuals such as domestic, child and even elder violence. In a recent research conducted by the Humane Society in the United States document that 71% of domestic violence victims also target pets. This further gives an indication that the underlying factors that may lead an individual to be cruel towards animals are of similarity with those that may lead an individual into abusing fellow human beings.
The Essence of Treating Animals Humanely
There is a great need of treatment for animals humanely. Both the pets and domestic animals should be able to enjoy inordinate care from their owners. Not only do the animals stand to prosper and enjoy healthier lives when this occurs, but also help to quell triggers of violence which may exist in animal owners, prompting them to victimize their spouses or friends. Thus, our treatment animals ensures the well-being of the said animals as well as ensuring that domestic and child-based violence is squashed or completely eliminated.
Conclusion
In summation, it has been established that Animal Cruelty may arise due to ignorance on the part of animal owners or due to the deliberate involvement of animals in activities which are injurious to the animals in question. It has also been established that the cruelty of animals is utterly unhealthy to both the animal itself and its owner. The mistreatment of animals denies them the ability to prosper, as well as triggering abusive impulses in their owners. Thus, it is of great importance that all animals are treated humanely.
References
Ascione, F. (2008). The International Handbook of Animal Abuse and Cruelty: Theory, Research, and Application. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press.
Nancy Perry, P. B. (2008). A Case Study on Cruelty to Farm Animals: Lessons. Michigan Law Review First Impressions, 117-122.
Randall Lockwood, A. P. (2013). Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Abuse.
Alexandria: National District Attorneys Association.
