You should care about the issue, whether you like animals or not

After combining the efforts of Idaho 1 of 3 and Panhandle Equine Rescue, Inc. along with dozens of other animal rescue groups, veterinarian hospitals and other veterinarian practices, I became curious about the impact that animal abuse has on communities, states and society in general. I promise you the research was quite an eye opener.

In the first place many of my fellow citizens did not believe the accuracy of the number of abuse cases in our state. Others chalked us up as some sort of rabid animal activists coming in from some liberal state and trying to change our state in order to have it be to "their" liking. And still there were those who ridiculed us for what we are trying to do. Those that ridicule are the most dangerous, as they seem to be defending themselves against future penalties that they have not had to fear until now.

I strongly suspect that our politicians - who have been petitioned over and over, again and again, and have done nothing to strengthen our laws - can fall into both categories of ignorant and fearful.

We have tried to get the word out over the past few months that Idaho is 1 of 3 states in the United States that does not have felony penalties for third time animal abusers and those committing first egregious violence against helpless animals.

Our proposal speaks only to the "existing" animal cruelty laws and not to any businesses practices or acceptable procedures in other rules or laws that are held by the higher standards in the agricultural community. We are a grassroots effort of combined citizens, professional practices and concerned citizens; we do not belong to any of the National Organizations.

My research brought me to some excellent work that has been done by the American Humane Association, which not only has done its own research but worked with studies by many psych and research groups (see resource list at the end of this article).

Although many find that seemingly endless statistics can be boring, I urge you to read some of these statistics and then go to the website where you will find many important facts. For the moment, however, please give your attention to these few facts.

* 71 percent of pet-owning women entering shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32 percent reported their children had hurt or killed animals.

* 68 percent of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87 percent of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women and 75 percent in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them.

* 13 percent of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.

* Between 25 and 40 percent of battered women are unable or reluctant to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.

* Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk.

This list is far longer than I can place in this article, but what is here I believe clearly shows the terrible and dangerous relationship between unpunished animal abuse and its escalation to human and family abuse.

It seems that investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble. The statistics I listed above should make clear that a child exposed to animal abuse can easily make a case in their own minds that one can take their anger out on things or those that are smaller than they are and certainly that have no voice with which to summon help.

Sadly our state legislators have chosen to ignore the plea of the rescue organizations, and the Idaho Humane Society, for stronger penalties. The impression that is left has caused law enforcement and even the county prosecutors offices to become indifferent toward reports of animal abuse and by so doing, frustrating the efforts of animal control groups. The net results of these actions - along with the fact that so much of the abuse that is going on in our state, both animal and human, goes unnoticed - produces the status quo of laws and abuse situation.

Dear fellow citizens, I know that the greater majority of you care about these issues, and will take the action necessary to create the change, so please go to our website (northidahohorserescue.com, or Panhandle Equine Rescue, Inc. on facebook) and find out where to find initiative signature gatherers and sign. The only ones left to help our state and our animals are the citizens; the authorities do what is easiest and most convenient.

In 2012, vote for those who care, starting with any legislator, sheriff or prosecutor, and of course the initiative you've put on the ballot, because getting the laws strengthened is only part of the problem. Getting them enforced and prosecuted is equally important.

Tony Mangan is president of Panhandle Equine Rescue, Inc. Email [email protected]

Resources

Arkow, P. (2003). Breaking the Cycles of Violence: A Guide to Multi-disciplinary Interventions. A Handbook for Child Protection, Domestic Violence and Animal Protection Agencies. Alameda, CA: Latham Foundation.

Ascione, F.R. (2000). Safe Havens for Pets: Guidelines for Programs Sheltering Pets for Women Who Are Battered. Logan, UT: Utah State University. [email protected]

Ascione, F.R., & Arkow, P. (eds.) (1999). Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse: Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, 1999.

Duel, Debra (2004). Violence Prevention & Intervention: A Directory of Animal-Related Programs. Washington, DC: Humane Society of the U.S.

Maxwell, M. S. & O'Rourke, K. (2000). Domestic Violence: A Competency-Based Training Manual for Florida's Animal Abuse Investigators. Tallahassee: Florida State University Institute for Family Violence Studies.

National Crime Prevention Council (2003). 50 Strategies to Prevent Violent Domestic Crimes: Screening Animal Cruelty Cases for Domestic Violence. Washington, DC.

For a bibliography of "Link" materials: please se www.animaltherapy.net/Bibliography-Link.html