New Zealand, and the world has a growing problem, Animal Abuse, Cruelty, & Neglect. The New Zealand Government does not recognise this as a real problem, yet it is scientifically proven that those who abuse animals are more likely to abuse their children.
New Zealand needs to adopt a ZERO Tolerence to Animal Abuse and to develop a public register that identifies convicted abusers. This register should be available to all animal welfare and animal adoption agencies, to all schools, CYFS and other child welfare organisations.
We need more inspectors from other welfare agencies, not just the SPCA and MAF, and we need the Police to follow up with these cases.
If Animal Abuse were monitored and real repercussions felt by offenders, then we would be able to prevent future abuse of not only other animals, but also Children. The children of the offender could be offered support and protection before abuse could occur.
How many more babies need to die from abuse, how many more dogs and cats need to be burnt, beaten, hung and used in fighting before we as a nation see the link and act.

This comment from a woman in Ohio shows that even those oversea's understand what our government refuses to.

Ms. Karen Rosenfeld, ON
Dogs don't get to choose who they live with and what is done to them. Their welfare and their lives are at the mercy of human beings - will they end up with someone who truly respects and loves them or with someone who uses and abuses them - then discards their life as if it is trash. This means that we need be very serious about protecting them. Dogs are intelligent, sensitive animals. Each dog has its own unique personality. The full ranges of personalities we see in humans exist in dogs - the main difference being that cruelty is unique to humans…this attribute does not exist in dogs. There have been many well known and respected people throughout history who have said that humans who endured in the face of great adversity carry many scars but it is these same people who have the most to contribute to society. I believe that the same can be said for the dog. All dogs have so much that they are willing to share with humanity. If we are willing to open our minds to see, we can learn so much from them about ourselves. They can help us be more aware of our own behaviour and give us a second chance to grow into better, wiser and happier individuals. When you help a dog it is not just the dog that gets a second lease on life and a new opportunity...it is also the human. Dogs are not plant crops they are living, breathing, feeling animals no different than a human. Except dogs are never cruel - but humans are! Each dog, like every human has its own personality, likes and dislikes, fears and things that they anticipate with their own form of joy. Have humility and empathy - recognize that dogs are worthy of proper care and consideration. Please help make a profound difference in changing the future - making it a better place for dogs. What a dog wants most is to have the opportunity to live the life it deserves to live - to be loved and to give love like only a dog can. Dogs do not deserve to suffer abuse and death because some human is angry, has 'lost it' or just does not care. We must protect them as they cannot protect themselves! PLEASE DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO SUPPORT TOUGHER LAWS for THE WELFARE OF DOGS.
Please don't turn away, or say its not your problem. It could be happening on your street, next door or at a relatives home. It's everyone's problem and we need to Act TODAY!