Animal Abuse has traditionally been a very overlooked crime.

All too often, even today, when one hears of a child abusing an animal, you are met with traditional responses such as "Boys will be boys" or "They'll grow out of it" or "Kids always do that." Yet finally society is waking up to the realities of Animal Abuse.

Studies have proven the correlation between early Animal Abuse and later violent crimes. Organisations within law enforcement and criminology use Animal Abuse as a determining factor of potential violence of a suspect/subject.

The recent cases in the news of random attacks on high school students and children in the U.S. have left dozens dead, even more wounded - and a nation in shock as to what happened.

Yet studies prove that in each and every case - without exception, Animal Abuse was present BEFORE the final act of violence.

Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty against animals often move on to their fellow humans. One thing is becoming clear above all else, and this cannot be said strongly enough:

If we ignore Animal Abuse, we allow the possibility to become a reality that these perpetrators' emotional instability will escalate into tragedy, often times in epidemic proportions.

Here in Australia we are beginning to hear the call for security at our schools. If citizens remain untouched by increased abuse, or regard it as not their business, wholesale cruelty and violence will become an accepted behaviour in our societies and we will all pay a high price indeed.

1. Get involved. There are many wonderful organisations that need your time and help in spreading the word and educating the public about Animal Abuse. The RSPCA numbers are provided above.
2. Stop turning the other way. It's time that we as a society stopped making excuses for Animal Abusers. It is NOT normal for kids to torture animals, they will NOT "grow out of it." If you know of someone involved in abusing animals, contact the proper authorities immediately.
3. Teach your children to respect animals. Show them that all living things are equal in the need for life's basic commodities such as food, shelter and love. Children learn by actions, not by words.
4. Write to your local member and other public officials encouraging tougher Animal Cruelty laws. Let them know that you will not tolerate their ignorance on this subject and insist that they become aware of the dangers of ignoring this all too common problem.
Excerpts on this page from www.geocities.com/alert4animalabuse