Animal abusers are bullies and cowards who victimize the defenseless, and their targets often include members of their own species. In fact, the FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals regularly appears in its records of serial rapists and murderers, and it uses reports of cruelty to animals when gauging the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. As someone who deals with dozens of cruelty to animals cases every week, I have seen case after case in which people who abuse animals commit similar crimes against members of their own communities and families.

Each of us can help stop the cycle of violence in its tracks by never letting any cruelty go unreported.

Martin Mersereau, PETA emergency response team director