No innocent soul should suffer the horrors of being abused. Doesn't matter if that soul belongs to a person or an animal. We should be protecting those who cannot speak for themselves. It is our duty as humans to take care of those who cannot, and we are just as guilty as those who abuse, when we do not speak up or take action. 

We've all seen signs of abuse from that dog that bark's incesently for being left outside all winter long to animal's left outside in cars in the summer heat. 

But did you know:

The shocking number of cruelty cases reported daily in the media is only the tip of the iceberg. Most cases are never reported, and most animal suffering goes unrecognized and unabated.

Although there is no national reporting system for animal abuse, media reports suggest that it is common in rural and urban areas. Cruelty and neglect can also cross socio-economic boundaries.

Unless otherwise noted, the following statistics are compiled from pet-abuse.com.

Most Common Victims

In media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs—and pit bull-type dogs, in particular—are the most common victims of animal cruelty. Of 1,880 cruelty cases* reported in the media in 2007:

64.5% (1,212) involved dogs18% (337) involved cats25% (470) involved other animals Reported abuse against pit bull-type dogs appears to be on the rise: in 2000–2001, pit bull-type dogs were involved in 13% of reported dog-abuse cases; in 2007, they were involved in 25% of reported dog-abuse cases.

*some cases involved multiple species

Horses   

According to the American Horse Council, Americans own more than 9 million horses, up from more than 6 million in the mid-1990s. Backyard breeding fueled the boom in pet horses. Of the more than 2 million Americans who own horses, more than one-third have a household income of less than $50,000. 

Livestock

As HSUS investigations into slaughterhouses and cattle auctions have revealed, animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry. Despite increased feed prices, we found no indication in the news media that the number of livestock neglect cases is increasing, other than a few shocking, high-profile cases. This may, however, simply be a reflection of the weak protections afforded to livestock under state animal cruelty laws.

Many states specifically exclude livestock or any "common" agricultural practices from their cruelty laws, and even when good laws exist, it can sometimes be difficult to convince law enforcement to make an arrest and/or to seize livestock who are being neglected or abused.

Legislative Trends  

47 states currently have felony provisions for animal cruelty. (Those without are Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota.)Before 1986, only four states had felony animal cruelty laws.42 of the 47 state felony animal cruelty laws were enacted in the last three decades: 13 were enacted between 1986 and 1996, and 28 more were enacted between 1997 and 2011.

First vs. Second Offense  

43 of the 47 state felony provisions are first-offense provisions.Four are second-offense felonies (Iowa, Mississippi, Ohio, and Pennsylvania).Within the 43 first-offense felony states, several have a first-offense provision for aggravated cruelty, torture, companion animal cruelty, etc., in addition to a second-offense provision for cruelty to animals.

States Finding Second-Offense Laws Inadequate  

In the last decade, at least 6 states have enacted second- or third-offense felony animal cruelty laws, only to readdress and upgrade them to first-offense laws within a few years: Alaska (3rd 2008, 1st 2010)Indiana (2nd 1998, 1st 2002)Kentucky (2nd 2003, 1st 2007)Nebraska (2nd 2002, 1st 2003)Tennessee (2nd 2001 and 2002, 1st 2004)

Currently there are few laws in place that address offenders and repeat offenders. There is currently no "Animal Offender List" like there is for "sex offender". It is important to identify these offenders as it ensures safety not just for our animals but for our neighborhoods, too. Let's make a change today and help save lives! Join me in my crussade to show love to our animal friends and family!