Congratulations to the graduate student who is rearing her two sons carefully in order to prevent them from developing abusive relationships ("Survey: Men report more indicators of abuse," SN 4/26). This courageous woman is astute to recognize the link between hurting animals and future violence to other humans: A batterer's first target is often an animal living in the home, the second, a spouse or child.

Study after study shows that people who abuse animals are just getting warmed up. In three surveys of women's shelters in Wisconsin and Utah, 74 percent of women living with companion animals reported that an animal had been threatened, injured or killed by their abuser. A study conducted by Northeastern University and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. The FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals regularly appears in its records of serial rapists and murderers. Most notorious killers, including Ted Bundy, David Berkowitz, Albert DeSalvo, Jeffrey Dahmer, and suspected "BTK" killer Dennis Rader "practiced" their crimes on animals.

Parents and teachers are invited to visit TeachKind.org for free literature to help teach kids the value of kindness and respect for animals and others and tips on how to spot early signs of cruel behavior toward animals. Instilling a sense of compassion in children today is the only way to prevent violence tomorrow.

Heidi R. Jury
2004 graduate