Residents of California and communities in the United States
have good reason to be concerned about the whereabouts of animal abusers like
Young Song. In story after heartbreaking story, abusers repeat their violent
crimes against helpless animals, and often go on to victimize people as well.
The man convicted of beating his neighbor’s dog to death
with a hammer shows classic behavior symptoms in need of psychological
evaluation and treatment (Man who killed dog with hammer banned from owning
pets, October, 5 2012). Anyone whose anger and lack of empathy could result in
such a heartless act should be punished to the fullest extent of the laws
available.
What will become on Young Song after he serves his time,
pays his fines and completes counseling, if any was ordered? Will he return to the home where he lived when
he brutally killed his neighbor’s dog or will he move?
I would want to know if a violent or repeat animal abuser
were living next door to me and my family. Animal abuse is often just the tip
of the iceberg. According to the Animal
Legal Defense Fund, animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent
crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than
are individuals without a history of animal abuse.
Convicted animal abusers pose a real, ongoing threat to
pets, families, and communities. Having
an animal abuse registry would be an invaluable tool. An animal abuse registry would require
mandatory registration and community notification for convicted animal abusers. This would make a dramatic difference in
keeping offenders away from potential new victims allowing animal shelters
and humane societies to more thoroughly screen potential adopters—and by
alerting the public to their whereabouts.
Full story here
Click here to demand your state require animal abusers register in your community. Tweet Follow @AHALink
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