With each passing day animals are abused, neglected, and thrown out like trash while society and the law look the other way. In the state of New Jersey animal abuse is charged as a disorderly person, not even a misdeamenor. In most peoples eyes it should be a felony. We are telling our children, our society animal abuse is ok. Acts of cruelty to animals are not mere indications of a minor personality flaw in the abuser; they are symptomatic of a deep mental disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals don't stop there-many of them move on to their fellow humans. Studies have shown that violent and aggressive criminals are more likely to have abused animals as children than criminals who are considered non-aggressive. History is replete with serial killers whose violent tendencies were first directed at animals. Animal abuse and human abuse are partners in crime. As a society we need to stop this domino effect. An example needs to be made. Our state needs a harsher punishment for cases of animal cruelty to prevent future atrocities on animals and humans alike.