A s someone who deals with dozens of cruelty-toanimals cases every week, I applaud those working to establish an online animal abuser registry in New York. Exposing and remembering people who hurt animals will better guarantee our communities’ safety.
Mental-health and law-enforcement experts know that the bullies and cowards who abuse animals will often cross species lines. The American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of animal abuse in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. The link between cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence is undeniable.
The public deserves to know if there is a known animal abuser in its midst. To learn more, visit www.PETA.org.
Martin Mersereau
Director
Emergency Response Team
Cruelty Investigations Dept.
People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals
Norfolk, Va.