Young Song, The Dog Killer Next Door

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

Early Warning Signs For Abuse Continue To Be Ignored

Wouldn’t you want to know if a violent or repeat animal abuser were living next door to you and your family? 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 your pets, your family, and your community. The Animal Legal Defense Fund’s proposed abuser registry legislation would require mandatory registration and community notification for convicted animal abusers. These laws would make a dramatic difference in keeping offenders away from potential new victims by allowing animal shelters and humane societies to more thoroughly screen potential adopters—and by alerting the public to their whereabouts.

(cont.)
In 2004, the then 29-year-old Robert Rydzewski shot his neighbor’s dog Mollie in the face twice, claiming she was going after him and his rabbits. The upstate New Yorker was charged with torturing and injuring an animal. Two months later, he killed another neighbor’s Welsh Corgi, named Sis, with an ax, resulting in yet another charge of torturing and killing a domestic animal.

Rydzewski pled guilty, and the judge sentenced him to 90 days in jail and one year of probation, and also granted both dog owners permanent orders of protection.  His plea bargain included the dismissal of other charges including reckless endangerment for allegedly pointing a rifle toward someone during the shooting incident. He has since been arrested for assaulting people and resisting arrest, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Click HERE to sign a petition supporting an animal abuse registry in your area. Source: exposeanimalabusers.org.

Often times, animal abuse is just the tip of the iceberg.  People who care about their friends, family and communities have the right to know if there are people with a propensity towards violence among them.

Expose animal abusers ~ Demand an animal abuse registry in your state NOW!

Read more here about how animal cruelty affect you and your community.



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You Are In Danger of Being Killed

Lethality questions

In South Eastern Connecticut police who respond to domestic violence incidents will pose the following questions to domestic violence victims in cases that they think could turn deadly. Certain combinations of "Yes" answers will trigger a phone call to a counselor at the Women's Center of Southeastern Connecticut.

1. Has he/she ever used a weapon against you or threatened you with a weapon?
2. Has he/she ever threatened to kill you, your children or your pets?
3. Do you think he/she might try to kill you?
4. Does he/she have a gun or can he/she get one easily?
5. Has he/she ever tried to choke you?
6. Is he/she violently or constantly jealous or does he/she control most of your daily activities?
7. Have you left him/her or separated after living together or being married?
8. Is he/she unemployed?
9. Has he/she ever tried to kill himself/herself?
10. Do you have a child that he/she knows is not his/hers?
11. Does he/she follow you or spy on you or leave threatening messages?
Source: Maryland Lethality Assessment Program

Many police departments still are not using these lethality assessment questions.  This does NOT mean that you, or someone you know is at a lower risk of being killed.

If you or someone you know answers "yes" to any of these questions, contact a Domestic Violence Advocate immediately!

In the U.S.:  1.800.799.SAFE
In the U. K.: 0808 2000 247
In Australia:   1800 RESPECT

Click here for an International inventory of domestic violence services Countries A-Z

 

 

 

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What You Need To Do When You See Child Abuse Happening

It’s unknown how many cases of child abuse or neglect aren’t reported every year, but experts know cases are under-reported. More often than not, somebody saw or heard something suspicious but didn’t do anything about it.

Most child abuse and neglect happens behind closed doors, so the signs aren’t always obvious and often fall into a gray area. You may see a child with multiple unexplained bruises. Maybe it’s a little one wandering around the neighborhood alone. Or maybe you see a stranger lose their cool at the grocery store and they smack their kid.

What would you do?

Would you recognize that as a sign of child abuse? Would you know who to call?  Would you call?

There is usually a history of abuse when a child dies from maltreatment.  Rarely is it a case that one day a child is fine and the next day is dead.

Most of us know the law requires certain people to report potential child abuse or neglect. This includes health professionals, church leaders, child guardians, school personnel or anyone else responsible for the care of the child. Neighbors and the general public also have an obligation to keep children safe.

Most cases go unreported because people are scared to get involved.

People tend to think it’s none of their business, and that they shouldn’t interfere with other families. Other reasons: They’re in denial that anything wrong is happening. They fear they will be dragged into court. They worry they will break up a family.  Even so, it is better to do something than to do nothing at all.

There are too many cases in the news where neighbors or even family members knew a child was being hurt or being beaten. They heard screams, and they did nothing. It’s in the best interest of the child for you to make a phone call to CPS or the police, and to discover everything is OK, rather than do nothing because things can get worse and a child may end up seriously injured or dead.

Let's explore some of the most common questions about how and when people should get involved when they suspect child abuse or neglect.

No obvious abuse

Scenario: Someone you know has become aggressive with their child, and it’s clear things aren’t quite right even if there’s no obvious abuse - yet.

What to do immediately: It is acceptable to step in. Make a comment like: “Parenting is a tough job.” Or using humor to let the parent know you’ve been there: “Kids can really act up, can’t they?”
Making a quick comment can calm the parent down.

What you shouldn’t do: The cardinal rule is don’t criticize the parent, because you will immediately antagonize the parent who may take it out on the child later.

Next steps: Turn the attention to the child, so you can talk about what’s best for him or her. Mention resources, such as support groups or churches, and ask how you can help, perhaps by watching the child for a few hours every other week.

The tense moment you witnessed usually isn’t a one-time thing, so don’t reach out once and just let it go.  If the problem continues, call CPS or police.  If what you witnessed makes you uncomfortable, go with your gut and call CPS or police. Let the professionals decide what’s going on.

Obvious signs of abuse

Scenario: You don’t have an established relationship with the potential abuser -  as in the case of a neighbor, for example - and you hear or see abuse next door.

What to do immediately: Call CPS or 911.
A common misconception is that calling CPS will result in the state removing the child from the family, which is not true. Sometimes it helps get some available services to the family that they may not know about and need. If you feel threatened or worried about repercussions, you can always provide information anonymously.

What you shouldn’t do: Do not investigate the situation on your own. Let the professionals handle it because you don’t want to put yourself in danger or escalate the situation.

Next steps: If the situation persists and no one has responded, call again. Experts advise against getting personally involved.

Making a scene in public

Scenario: The child is screaming and the parent "loses it" as they walk through the grocery store, but there is no physical harm to the child.

What to do immediately: Make a quick comment and try to calm the parent down.
Even when it’s a stranger, all it takes in a situation like this is to smile at the parent and say, "It is so hard sometimes, I remember when I was there."
It’s more likely for a parent that feels embarrassed to take anger out on the child. If the parent knows other people understand what they are going through, then they are likely to calm down.

What you shouldn’t do: Don’t criticize. Again, that will only anger the parent more.

Next steps: If the situation continues to escalate, and the parent physically harms the child, call the police and try to get a license plate number. Don’t intervene personally because you could put yourself in danger.

Potential neglect

Scenario: You see a young child wandering the streets or any public place alone.

What to do immediately: Try to locate the parent.  If you’re in a store, help the child find the parent.
The parent is not supervising their child and the child is not safe.

What you shouldn’t do: Don’t criticize the parent. Don’t discipline the child personally. Don’t walk away and ignore it.

Next steps: If you can’t find the parents, call the police or CPS.

Warning signs to look for in children that may indicate abuse or neglect:

 

A child that is unhappy or hungry frequently
A child with unexplained bruises, burns or sores
A child with unexplained bruises, burns or sores in unusual areas on their body - bottoms of feet or on their back
A child at any age that has a bruise in their ear (it takes a lot of force to bruise an ear)
Any infant that can not roll over, sit or walk by themselves that has bruises
A child that wears dirty or ill-fitting clothes on a regular basis
A child that misses a lot of school
A child that is unsupervised outside or being left home alone
A child that talks about family violence
Parents or children that harm animals or pets.
A child that expresses fear of something or someone
A child that has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or is having nightmares.

Numbers to call:

911, if the abuse is happening in public or needs immediate police attention

National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) Crisis Counselors Available 24/7

Sources: Suzanne Schunk, director of family-support services for Southwest Human Development; American Humane Association

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