‘Animal abusers are bullies, cowards’

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1:17 PM Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The case in which two 17-year-old boys and a 22-year-old woman are charged with allegedly beating a baby alpaca to death is extremely disturbing. The pain and terror this alpaca undoubtedly endured and the utter disregard for life and indifference to suffering the perpetrators displayed should concern everyone.

Animal abusers are bullies and cowards who take their issues out on “easy victims,” and they rarely limit themselves to hurting only animals. Psychiatrists, criminal profilers and law enforcement officials have repeatedly documented that young people who are cruel to animals often turn that violence against humans.

Cruelty to animals appears in the histories of all our nation’s serial killers and tragic school shooters. The FBI uses reports of cruelty to animals to gauge the threat potential of known criminals.

It’s vital that people who hurt animals receive intervention, including counseling and a ban on contact with animals, to prevent their violence from continuing.

Learn how you can help stop cruelty to animals at www.HelpingAnimals .com.

Martin Mersereau

Director

Emergency Response Team

Cruelty Investigations Department

People for the Ethical

Treatment of Animals

Norfolk, Va.

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