Lawrence County is one of many entities around the nation that has a humane agent in place.

Wednesday, February 07, 2001

Lawrence County is one of many entities around the nation that has a humane agent in place.

The primary duty of the humane agent is to investigate animal cruelty and abuse. The results of such investigations, however, could lead to even more of a positive impact on society.

Studies show individuals who abuse animals have a tendency to commit more serious forms of violence in the future. In other cases, the individual abusing the animal is already engaging in such violent acts.

Take into consideration some information circulated by various animal rights groups across the nation:

· Some studies have shown a high correlation between family violence and animal cruelty.

· Studies of prison inmates reveal that as many as 75 percent of violent offenders had early records of animal cruelty.

· Those who commit serial or mass criminal violence often use animals as "rehearsal" tools in their adolescence to work themselves up to the eventual abuse or killing of people. (It has been reported mass-murderer Jeffrey Dahmer killed neighbors’ pets and impaled a dog’s head on a stick).

· It is estimated that 88 percent of pets living in households with domestic abuse are either abused or killed.

· Studies have shown that if animals in a household are being neglected, the children are likely to be neglected as well.

Investigating animal cruelty, in essence, could head off future, more serious violence. Future violent offenders may be able to get help. Current violent offenders can be prosecuted.

We urge you to contact Lawrence County humane agent Don Clark if you know of or suspect any forms of animal cruelty.