FBI to start tracking animal cruelty in 2016

[PeregrineFaulkner]

The FBI is reclassifying it from 'other' to the four specific categories. So the FBI has already been recording these as crimes. Now it will be recorded as animal abuse, I guess so that researchers can track it and repeat offenders can be identified. I don't think this means it will actually be handled by the FBI. Having individual cases of animal abuse filed by only local agencies would be pointless.

Right. This is information that local authorities have always reported to the FBI (as are most crime statistics). They're just creating a couple new subheadings.

 

[Sonya610]

I hope this is the start of harsher punishment for those that abuse animals. They need a voice just as much as children and the elderly.
Shame that some view them as lesser beings put on this earth to be of use and of no matter. IMO

Seems to me the punishment will still be a light slap on the wrist or the more typical finger wag.

 

[kimlynn]

Seems to me the punishment will still be a light slap on the wrist or the more typical finger wag.

Probably true and wishful thinking on my part regarding harsher punishment for those that harm animals. But you can't legislate morality.
You either care or have compassion or you don't.
We can't even get humans to care for their own much less asking that they care properly for a pet. IMO

 

[bwt42]

I'm more concerned with people who torture animals than with people who work in restaurants without proper documentation, in terms of threat to society. But, MOO.

True story. I was in a restaurant restroom one time that had two signs that read employees must wash hands. Two employees came in, washed their hands, used the urinals & then left.

 

[LinasK]

True story. I was in a restaurant restroom one time that had two signs that read employees must wash hands. Two employees came in, washed their hands, used the urinals & then left.

Apples and oranges. A public health threat because one can't read the sign or is non-compliant, is a whole different kind of risk factor than a killer like Jeffrey Dahmer or Jodi Arias that starts with animals.

 

[bwt42]

Apples and oranges. A public health threat because one can't read the sign or is non-compliant, is a whole different kind of risk factor than a killer like Jeffrey Dahmer or Jodi Arias that starts with animals.

just trying to add a little levity.

 

[Sonya610]

Probably true and wishful thinking on my part regarding harsher punishment for those that harm animals. But you can't legislate morality.

Uhhh....actually you can legislate morality, that's the whole purpose of our legal system. By not punishing heinous acts of cruelty society basically condones and encourages those acts.

When certain behaviors come with a very high price tag the vast majority of people will avoid engaging in those acts.

 

[STANDREID]

The right to not be the subject of cruelty is the one right animals should equally share with humans.

 

[kimlynn]

Uhhh....actually you can legislate morality, that's the whole purpose of our legal system. By not punishing heinous acts of cruelty society basically condones and encourages those acts.

When certain behaviors come with a very high price tag the vast majority of people will avoid engaging in those acts.

I'm all for stricter laws but the reality is that we are dealing with some with a lack of compassion and ignorance when it comes to animals.
No law (IMO) can fix that.

 

[bluesneakers]

I'm all for stricter laws but the reality is that we are dealing with some with a lack of compassion and ignorance when it comes to animals.
No law (IMO) can fix that.

Not when people want designer puppies and hamburgers for $2. Money comes first and people stay willfully ignorant.

But tracking abusers is still a good idea.

JMO

 

[kimlynn]

Not when people want designer puppies and hamburgers for $2. Money comes first and people stay willfully ignorant.

But tracking abusers is still a good idea.

JMO

Agreed, the tracking by FBI may give some pause. Hope so anyway. IMO

 

[Sonya610]

I'm all for stricter laws but the reality is that we are dealing with some with a lack of compassion and ignorance when it comes to animals.
No law (IMO) can fix that.

I respectfully disagree. Plenty of people have no compassion for other people and would happily kill them given the chance, often the reason they don't is because they KNOW they will be hunted down and punished.

Would that concept apply to other crimes? Would anyone suggest that "laws won't work" when it comes to baby rapists? Or cop killers? Or child pornographers?

Should we stop imprisoning people that engage in those activities? Prison doesn't fix their lack of compassion, but it does limit the number of people that will engage in those crimes.

Severe punishment DOES deter crime. Right now many crimes against animals aren't punished at all, they aren't even THOUGHT of as crimes since the people without empathy think the abuse is normal.

 

[kimlynn]

I respectfully disagree. Plenty of people have no compassion for other people and would happily kill them given the chance, often the reason they don't is because they KNOW they will be hunted down and punished.

Would that concept apply to other crimes? Would anyone suggest that "laws won't work" when it comes to baby rapists? Or cop killers? Or child pornographers?

Should we stop imprisoning people that engage in those activities? Prison doesn't fix their lack of compassion, but it does limit the number of people that will engage in those crimes.

Severe punishment DOES deter crime. Right now many crimes against animals aren't punished at all, they aren't even THOUGHT of as crimes since the people without empathy think the abuse is normal.

I think we can agree that the fear of punishment would deter some,but as a long time member of an org that helps abused/abandoned animals....I have seen first hand what ignorance regarding proper care can do.
I think the main issue is the laws reflect the belief that animals don't matter as much as humans or have certain rights in our society.
As I *said* before....I'm all for better laws that protect the animal more so than it protects the person causing the abuse.
I'm not sure if it would make a difference but it would be a start. IMO