THE RELATION BETWEEN ANIMAL CRUELTY AND HUMAN VIOLENCE

The relation between animal cruelty and human violence

Abstract

The most frequently accepted definition of animal cruelty is, any form of harm to animals that is socially unacceptable and causes animal death can be taken as animal cruelly (Merz 2004). This definition allows for socially acceptable behavior, such as hunting and trapping, as well as extenuating circumstances which may bring about the death of an animal, but still be socially acceptable (i.e., euthanasia). Because the status of a particular animal may vary from one culture to another, this definition also takes into account the social context which helps determine what is considered animal abuse. Thus, the association between childhood animal cruelty and later acts of violence toward humans remains controversial.

Animal Cruelty and Human Violence

Animal cruelty

Some definitions of animal cruelty can be too vague or exclusive. Others can be too inclusive, such as the following definition posited by Merz (2004): “… abuse is broadly defined as any act that contributes to the pain or death of an animal or that otherwise threatens the welfare of an animal. Such abuse may be physical (including sexual) or mental, may involve active maltreatment or passive neglect, may be direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional, socially approved or condemned, and/or necessary or unnecessary” (p. 179).

As Merz (2004) pointed out, most of the harm done to animals is perfectly legal (i.e., hunting and trapping, factory farming, product testing, animal experimentation, and the use of animals for entertainment). Another broad definition is the one used by Gleyzer (2002), who argued that animal cruelty was, “the intentional, malicious, or irresponsible infliction of unnecessary physiological, and/or psychological pain, suffering, distress, deprivation, and/or the death of an animal by a human” (p. 222).

Cruelty towards animal can be seen in different group of people but statistics reveals this fact that majority of the animals are killed because of their fur and meat and it is done by fur farm owners and suppliers that provide fur to clothing companies.

Over 10 million animals are killed across the world for fur, many U.S states and several countries have banned the steel-jawed leg hold trap, which is notorious for its cruelty.

Human violence

Violence has always existed; there are different form of violence such as violence to survive and violence to control the power and violence to rebel against domination, physical and psychological violence. personal and group violence are mostly occurred for financial gaining. And it remains as a major reason for many crimes.

There are many factors which are attributing to human violence, these factor are

Family environment

Society or the community that individuals belongs

How is human violence related to animal cruelty

MacDonald (1961) was one of the fierst scientist who distinguish the relationship between childhood animal cruelty and later interpersonal violence. These are now commonly referred to as the MacDonald triad and are considered possible warning signs for those who are prone to violent behavior. Like MacDonald, Gleyzer (2002) found that childhood animal cruelty was a possible ...