Dark link between animal and human abuse

We live at a time when many pets can experience the same privileges as their human owners. They are now allowed to eat in restaurants, travel in the plane cabin, and sleep in hotels. But if the past few months are any indication, it seems that there are also increasing cases of animal abuse in the country.

There was TikTok, a stray dog who was rescued from the street after being shot with multiple dart arrows. In Pangasinan, a man went viral after a bystander filmed him dragging a cat that was tied to his tricycle. And just last week, several news outlets reported the death of Tiger, an aspin who had been stabbed by a meat vendor in Subic after the dog stole some food from her stall.

The Animal Welfare Act of 1998 protects all animals, whether owned or stray, and puts emphasis on safeguarding both their physical and psychological well-being. In light of recent events, Sen. Grace Poe has called for a more stringent law to ensure that offenders face more than just a fine and temporary inconvenience. Poe previously filed Senate Bill No. 2458, which seeks to strengthen the 26-year-old legislation by introducing stricter standards, harsher penalties, and the establishment of a Barangay Animal Welfare Task Force. The bill also proposes deputizing trained volunteers as animal welfare enforcement officers and setting guidelines to promote responsible ownership and ethical animal care.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) repeatedly condemned the attacks, emphasizing that those who commit violent acts against animals could be a threat to society as a whole. “Abusers of animals are often capable of inflicting harm on humans as well. By taking a stand against animal cruelty, we are fighting for the safety and well-being of people,” PAWS said in a statement.

For a long time, there was a general tendency to minimize cases of animal cruelty as a simple misdemeanor. Extensive research on the matter, however, now confirms what PAWS stressed in the statement. Studies have repeatedly shown a disturbing link between animal abuse and serious crimes, including domestic violence, child abuse, and serial killings.

A landmark study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers were five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. They were also four times more likely to commit property crimes like theft or arson. In 2001, the United States Department of Justice determined that nearly two-thirds of aggressive criminals also had a history of harming animals. For instance, serial killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer exhibited animal cruelty as children. In fact, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System now tracks animal cruelty alongside felony crimes like homicide, recognizing the seriousness of animal assault as a potential indicator of broader criminality.

There is also an established connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence. Studies show that in homes where domestic violence occurs, half of the children report witnessing threats or harm directed at pets. In two-thirds of families where child abuse is present, there is also an occurrence of animal cruelty.

It is important to clarify that not everyone who mistreats animals escalates to harming other people. Research indicates that only 25 percent of animal cruelty offenders go on to commit violent acts against humans. However, this does not diminish the importance of treating animal cruelty as a serious red flag. Those who are found guilty of animal abuse should be investigated and monitored closely for potential cases of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Psychologists also suggest that a child or person showing a tendency to abuse animals should be assessed to determine whether it is part of a broader pattern of violent and antisocial behavior.

What is crucial in these cases is to ensure that the violators don’t just go viral online; they’re held legally accountable as well. Those who witness acts of animal abuse and neglect are advised to immediately report the case to a barangay official, to the local Philippine National Police hotline, or to the 911 emergency hotline. Part of PAWS’ amazing work is to provide free legal assistance to pet owners who would like to pursue a case against the perpetrator.

Strengthening the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, increasing public awareness, and treating animal abuse cases with the gravity they deserve could help prevent future crimes against animals and humans alike. The cases of TikTok, Tiger, and countless other abused animals should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, law enforcement, and the public to take animal cruelty more seriously. Because when we ignore the senseless suffering of animals, we may also be allowing the seeds of more serious violence to take root in our communities.