Steps To Stopping The Cycle Of Violence Against Animals

• Teach your children to be kind and loving towards animals. Show them the importance of empathy. Let them understand that animals are feeling beings like them, capable of feeling pain, loneliness and fear as well as happiness, love and joy. Teaching a child to not harm and animal is as important to the child as it is to the animal.

• Don’t let bad behavior go uncorrected. Even if the act of animal abuse seems innocent or isolated, take the time to talk to your children to make sure it never happens again. Remember any person who is capable of torturing an animal is a disturbed individual and a potential treat to others.

• If you witness a child abusing animals report the crime to the authorities, animal control, the police and/or child welfare agency. A survey of 57 families (with pets) under treatment for child abuse revealed that in 88% of these families, at least one person had abused animals. In two-thirds of the cases, the abusive parent had killed or injured the animals to control a child. Remember a child who abuses animals may be abused himself. (International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems, 321-329)

Originally printed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) 757-622-7382