NOW Is the Time to Address Animal Abuse with the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act

Listen HERE  to Wayne Pacelle of Animal Wellness Action on Steve Dale’s Other World, WGN Radio, discuss the Link, how animal abuse is linked to violence, even mass shootings. It turns out both the mass shooters in Uvalde, TX and Buffalo, NY were proudly guilty of  animal abuse, which they joyfully shared in social media.

with Wayne Pacelle

Pacelle says, “While, we are debating red flag laws to allow authorities to seize guns from people who exhibit violence,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “We know that so many of these mass shooters put their violent instincts on display by beheading cats or otherwise torturing animals.”  Pacelle and myself and others are supporting the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, (H.R. 1016) at the Federal level, so that our government actually brings cases to court and prosecutes people engaged in malicious animal cruelty. Pacelle explains how this law will instantly alert the Feds to animal abuse, and give them dollars and expertise and to do something about it.

Cats may be the most often abused companion animal

If the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act was in place, both mass murders, in Uvalde and in Buffalo would have never happened.

So why hasn’t our government responded?

Pacelle calls animal abuse a predictor of violence of some type – whether it’s domestic violence,  extreme road rage or mass murder – the Link is undeniable and real and has been known to law enforcement, social workers and psychologists for decades.

Meanwhile, Pacelle and I are doing media together to support awareness of the Link.

Pacelle calls for listeners to contact Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and  Dick Durbin, both happen to be generally understanding and supportive of animal welfare issues. This issue is real and ought to be totally bipartisan.

I am also calling for:

1. Animal abuse is a felony, but it’s not always enforced or law enforcement (due to a lack of resources or their priority ranking) may be slow to enforce. Also, people who are involved with dog fighting or cockfighting or other forms of violent abuse are more likely to be linked to violence crimes. To protect public safety (as well as animals), animal abuse and violence to animals must become a priority not only to enforce but also to prosecute. This would be addressed by the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act.
2. Parents (or caretakers) of minors or anyone living in their homes should be held legally responsible if they do not report known animal abuse to local law enforcement. Local law enforcement should then report to Federal law enforcement. Veterinarians aware of animal abuse are supposed to report this, but often they don’t. Even when they do report – those reports often go nowhere, and this must all change.
3. While the U.S. likely has little control over foreign social media, today apparently a part of the thrill is to post violence to animals on social platforms. U.S. based platforms must be mandated to immediately remove any images or celebration of animal abuse (or be penalized if they do not). While many platforms would suggest this policy currently exists, it’s questionably enforced.