Abstract In this article, the writer notes that animal abuse, including the abuse of dogs, is unfortunately not an uncommon event in North America. The writer discusses that the abuse of dogs can occur in a variety of ways, including dog owners who abuse their own dogs physically and emotionally, individuals who maliciously attack other people's dogs, and dogs that are abused through the pursuit and pleasure of sports such as dog racing or dog fighting. The writer points out that while the suffering of animals is cause enough to understand why animalcruelty is a horrible crime, research has also linked the abuse of animals to human violence. Individuals who are abusive towards animals during their childhood, and indeed throughout their life, have been found by researchers to be far more likely to commit violent crimes against other humans in their adulthood. The writer concludes that animalcruelty is a topic of great concern, especially the abuse of dogs who are highly valued animals within North American society.
From the Paper "Perhaps the saddest form of dog abuse is that which occurs within a dog's own human family. Although most dogs are brought into homes to be a loving and caring addition to the family, not all dogs are afforded the same kind of returned love and care from their owners. Perhaps the most common form of cruelty directed to dogs is neglect. Often families adopt dogs without fully understanding the time commitment and responsibilities associated with raising and training a dog. As a result, the dog may become neglected and ignored by the family, not receiving the necessary exercise or socialization that it needs to become a well adjusted adult canine. Often times these dogs end up being handed over to humane societies, such as the HSUS, where they are either put up for adoption, or if there is no available home for them, they are often put to sleep. Of all the abuse directed at animals, and especially dogs, neglect is possibly the easiest to understand or to forgive. Unfortunately, many dog owners are maliciously cruel to their dogs through physical abuse."
Abstract This paper briefly discusses the moral and legal issues to do with animal rights in the United States. A short history on the American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is included in the paper. The author also points out the link between cruelty to animals particularly amongst youths and serial killers. The author singles out Hawaii as the most recent state to adopt stricter criminal penalties for animalcruelty and at the same time, urges other states to progress in their cultural attitude and impose stricter penalties on barbaric torture of animals.
Outline:
Background and History
The Current State of Criminal Legislation and Future Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Throughout history, man has used animals for food, for their strength to
accomplish mechanical tasks and for the raw materials for everything from winter clothing to tools and weapons. Man, unfortunately, also has a long history of inhumanity to his fellow man, and of cruelty to animals. In much of the rest of the world, cultural attitudes reflect a continuing insensitivity to animals, working them to death, and hunting them to extinction for decorative ivory and superstitious uses of their ground up bones, or harvesting one part such as by hauling them from the water to slice off their fins before tossing them back into the water to sink to the ocean floor and drown."
Abstract This paper reviews literature, which supports the linkage between cruelty to animals and to humans especially when this behavior originates in childhood. The paper stresses the importance of early intervention and treatment of animal abusers by medical professionals, law enforcement, teachers and parents to prevent further escalation of this behavior.
Table of Contents:
Introduction- Statement of the Problem and Background
Literature Review and Notorious Examples of Violent Animal Abusers
Profile of an Animal Abuser
Laws Against AnimalCruelty Medical Viewpoint and Steps to Prevention
Plan of Action-Suggestions
Conclusion
From the Paper "Psychologists have discovered that animal cruelty is associated with anti-social behavior and childhood animal abuse is a vital warning sign. Conduct disorder was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1987. One of the criteria for this disorder in children is cruelty to animals. Children that are diagnosed with conduct disorder often develop anti-social personality disorder as adults. The younger the child is when diagnosed with conduct disorder, the greater the risk that he/she will develop anti-social personality disorder."
Tags: profilers, dog fighting, columbine law community
Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between domestic violence and animalcruelty by exploring the relationship between the two problems and by examining research that supports this thesis.
From the Paper "Until recently there has been a lack of attention toward animal abuse and very little study made into the relationship between domestic violence and pet cruelty. Indeed it has been discovered, the bond between women and their companion animals makes it possible for batterers to coerce, intimidate, and control women by abusing their pets. The batterer finds great pleasure in knowing they have hurt the victim through hurting something they love. Elizabeth Strand writes, "the link between animal abuse and woman battering completes the circle of abuse, more commonly called the tangled web of abuse, which must be addressed by social workers in order to intervene effectively and prevent family violence" (par. 6). This link between the two behaviors is commonly referred to as "Link(R)" (American Humane, par. 1) by Animal Rescue professionals like the Humane Society. This emergence of animal cruelty has set into action changes in state law. Due to the number of cases recently with evidence so overwhelming, 41 states and the District of Columbia currently have felony-level convictions for serious acts of animal abuse."
Abstract This paper studies the organizations, governmental agencies and courtrooms acting to protect animals from cruelty. The paper begins with a review of the laws against cruelty to animals. Next, the paper explores the mission and success of some of the most well-known non-profit organizations working to protect animals. Included are the Humane Society and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The paper also briefly discusses smaller, grassroots organizations, like AnimalCruelty Actionline. The paper then turns to the laws against animalcruelty and their application in several rather disturbing courtroom cases.
From the Paper "There are currently hundreds of organizations around to prevent and stop cruelty to animals. The most widely recognized organizations are the American Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA since its inception has become a role model for other similar organizations to follow. The organization has a legislative action center in which volunteers are asked to write their legislatures in order to rally for stricter penalties against animal cruelty. Volunteers are kept abreast on current issues related to animal cruelty. The society also keeps a listing of animal humane law enforcement officials and animal control agencies throughout the United States."
Abstract This paper presents a brief history of animalcruelty laws and the interest groups that fight against animalcruelty. The author feels that the information provided is the most current data about animalcruelty and instances of recent animalcruelty cases.
Abstract The paper first analyzes the history of using animals for experimentation, and then explains the British Cruelty to Animals Act of 1876.The paper concludes by explaining the reasons why it is unethical to use animals for experimentation, and why the trend must be halted.
Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "The term 'cruelty' in itself is defined by the Webster's Dictionary as "causing, or of a kind to cause pain, distress, etc. cruel implies indifference to the suffering of others." (Paul; Elder, 211) What this means is that cruelty can encompass the means by which an innocent is forced to experience pain, for some purpose of the inflictor's own, which he could stop if he wished to, but does not. This would bring us to the actual point: in what way is cruelty to animals justifiable in the name of science? Why must an animal be made to suffer untold pain and misery, just so that scientists could analyze and experiment with drugs or scientific methods meant for human beings? As a matter of fact, even common household items, cosmetics, and shampoos, soaps, furniture polish and oven cleaners are tested on animals before they are approved and marketed for humans. For example, a few drops of liquid or granules are dropped into a rabbit's eyes, to test whether it causes irritation, and if does, then the human being would benefit, because the shampoo would be withdrawn, improved, and tested again, and yet again, while the poor creature would suffer untold misery on account of the testing procedures. At times, animals are immobilized in stocks, wherein their heads alone may protrude, and experiments are then conducted, with no anesthesia to dull the pain."
An in-depth paper which calls on the Jewish religion to stop focusing on animal rights and to start focusing on human duties and obligations towards animals.
Abstract This paper explores an alternative to fighting for animal rights, and instead advocates for a system of human duties and obligations based on Jewish Law. The paper analyzes the way Jewish law views cruelty to animals, the environment, and the obligation to take care of one's health. Jewish Law lays out a system of positive obligations that Man has towards animals, the environment, and his own health.
I. Introduction
II. Jewish Law and the Environment
A. The World and All in It Belongs To G-d and Man Is Responsible For Preserving It All
B. Animals Are Important to G-d
C. Bal Tashchit - The Prohibition on Wanton Destruction
D. Environmental Effects of Producing So Much Meat
III. Animals in Jewish Law
A. Animals as Property
B. Tza'ar Ba'aley Chayim and Positive Acts of Kindness
IV. Jewish Law and Health
A. The Importance of Maintaining Health in Jewish Law
B. Health and Vegetarianism
V. The Misunderstanding of the Importance Of Meat In Judaism
VI. Rabbis and Vegetarianism
VII. A Modern System of Duties and Obligations
A. Eating Meat and Dairy Products
B. Hunting, Trapping, and Furs
C. Animals in Entertainment
D. Animal Experimentation
E. Wildlife Conservation
VIII. Conclusion
From the Paper "We often talk about protecting animals and giving them their rights. Animal rights' activists argue about which rights are due to animals and which rights to animals are due to human beings. I argue that this dialogue is unhelpful to animals, just as it is unhelpful to human beings. Rather than argue about rights, I contend that we should construct a system of duties and obligations under which human beings will have varied responsibilities towards animals. Such a system already exists under Jewish law, a system devoid of human rights and animal rights, but rich with human responsibility and obligations towards mankind, animals, and the environment."
Abstract The paper examines what causes humans to frequently rationalize behavior that underlies animalcruelty. The paper looks at Peter Singer's "Animal Liberation" where Singer emphasizes that the relationship between humans and animals is not equal, yet maintains that the intellectual ability of non human animals holds no relevance to their given rights as living species. The paper contends, therefore, that animal abuse is unethical and must come to an end. The paper also maintains that, as humans, it is essential to first recognize that animal discrimination takes place and then take immediate action to stop immoral acts against animals.
From the Paper ""The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" (Mahatma Gandhi). Prior to human existence sat a time when pure nature grazed the earth, a time before pollution, hunting, or human civilization. The variety of animal species and lush vegetation surrounding their peaceful habitats comprised a beautiful circle of life. Unfortunately times have changed for nonhuman animals and for centuries they have been the victim of irrational discrimination. Indeed it be easy to write a entire novel on specific actions and examples that convey the harsh scrutiny animals face. However I feel it is more important to examine what causes humans to frequently rationalize behavior that underlies animal cruelty."
Abstract An argumentative paper promoting the idea of zoos as an important place for the preservation of endangered species, as well as a place of education and entertainment. It also examines arguments against the traditional purpose of a zoo from anti-animalcruelty activists.
From the Paper "If the world was ideal, all wildlife would roam freely and safely in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, however, the world is a place of commercialization and ignorance. Many species through the years have been hunted and poached to near extinction, and zoos have become a place of refuge and regeneration. Zoos today include natural wildlife parks and wildlife conservation parks. These parks "encourage animals to behave more like they do in the wild by creating conditions as close as possible to the natural habitat" (Biology pg). Moreover, zoos and wildlife parks provide healthier diets with foods similar to what is found in the wild. Conditions are often designed to enable animals to live with others of their species. Furthermore, many zoos and parks provide a refuge for ill and injured animals that can be returned to the wild, by creating a secluded area to avoid ?human imprinting (when exposure to humans makes the animal prefer human company over its own species)? (Biology pg). These new natural zoos and parks not only give the public a more educated and realistic idea of how a particular animal lives in the wild, but, provide a more nurturing world for an animal to live and mature (Biology pg)."
Attempts to address the issue of animal rights by asking the question, from a humanistic perspective, "what potential exists for a healthy construct of the rights of animals?"
Abstract This paper briefly looks at the evolution of the Western world's views on the treatment of animals and how the lack of a agreement on what an animal precisely is causes difficulties in addressing the issue of animal rights. It goes on to present a debate on the issue of animal rights through three different perspectives: ethical relativism, utilitarianism, and ethical egoism.
Sentient Rights in a Solitary World
The Essential Problem of the Definitions
Framework of the Debate within this Context
Taking A Position -- Modified Personal Responsibility
Ethical Traditions Within The Framework
Summary
From the Paper "In recent years, the ethical issue of animal rights has seriously entered into the realm of philosophical debate. This in itself shows a change in perspective, for until relatively recently the issue was not even seriously broached by philosophers, save maybe in sport or to highlight the absurdity of a line of reasoning. However, increasingly within modern philosophy, the issue may be broached. While one would think that the demands of such philosophies as egoism and utilitarianism would subjugate the position of animals, it seems historically that the reverse has somewhat been true. The question then becomes, within a humanistic mind-set, what potential exists for a healthy construct of the rights of animals? The answer lies in comprehending the individual focus of these philosophies, and treating this issue not as one of social or legal mandate, but as one of personal cognizance."
Abstract This paper focuses on society's disregard for animals and the lack of concern for the corporate and institutionalized violence and cruelty inflicted upon animals. The paper suggests that people have become blind to animalcruelty as a result of social and commercial conditioning. The paper also considers the economic, social, agricultural, and commercial factors that may contribute to the general tolerance of animalcruelty.
From the Paper "Animal rights simply refer to the intrinsic rights and basic moral sense that sees all life as important and connected. It refers to a basic ethical respect for all living beings. Cruelty and abuse to any living being is an infringement of these basic ethical human principles. This is made worse when those who are abused are animals that cannot speak or defend themselves. Similarly, the abuse of animals is an infringement not only of these basic rights that all living beings should enjoy but it also casts as shadow on the morality and meaning of human nature itself. Animal rights are defined by the Animal Rights Movement as follows."
Abstract This paper explores the way Jewish law views cruelty to animals, the environment, and the obligation to take care of one's health. The paper concludes that because Jewish Law has strong views about all these issues, the ideal diet is a vegetarian diet. The paper analyzes everything from Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) to factory farming.
I. Introduction
II. Tza'ar Ba'aley Chayim and Positive Acts of Kindness
A. Halacha Concerning Cruelty to Animals B. Throughout Jewish Texts, it is Clear That Kindness to Animals is Highly Desirable
C. So Why Are Jews Allowed To Eat Meat?
D. Meat Eating Today
III. Halacha and the Environment
A. The World and All In It Belongs To G-d and Man Is Responsible For Preserving It All
B. Animals Are Important to G-d
C. Bal Tashchit - The Prohibition on Wanton Destruction
D. Environmental Effects of Producing So Much Meat
IV. Halacha and Health
A. The Importance of Maintaining Health in Halacha
B. Health and Vegetarianism
V. The Misunderstanding of the Importance of Meat in Judaism
VI. Rabbis And Vegetarianism
VII. Conclusions
From the Paper "A feature of halacha (Jewish law) that is often neglected is that Jews are obligated to treat animals with kindness. This aspect gets lost amidst the multitude of complicated sacrificial laws and the laws of kashrut (Jewish dietary law). Perhaps the American approach to eating plenty of meat several times a week without giving any thought to the source of all that delicious food has rubbed off on Jews, making them forget that G-d treasures the lives of all animals and explicitly commanded that man not cause animals unnecessary harm. This paper will draw from different sources in the Jewish tradition to demonstrate that given the state of meat production and consumption today, eating meat may actually violate several Jewish laws and principal. Although halacha allow Jews to eat meat, as long as all the laws and limitations are properly met, halacha prefers that Jews followed a vegetarian diet."
Abstract Cruelty against animals has been a problem that has plagued human history since the earliest days of mankind. This paper discusses how animal abuse is linked to serious psychological problems and how protection of animals also serves to protect humans. The paper contends that in order to prevent further abuse in the future, a uniform system of stricter laws protecting the rights of animals should be passed and enforced across the country.
From the Paper "There is a clear connection between cruelty toward animals as a child and violent crimes committed toward humans later in life. Researchers, as well as the FBI and other law enforcement agencies nationwide, have linked animal cruelty to not only serial killings but also domestic violence, child abuse, and the recent rash of killings by school-age children, according to Dr. Randall Lockwood, Vice President of Training Initiatives for The Humane Society of the United States. (Syufy) In order to protect human and animal victims, there needs to be an awareness of the relationship between violence to animals and subsequent or concurrent violence toward other people. "
Abstract This paper studies the arguments raised both against and in support of animal testing. It is believed that animals are subjected to cruelty during researches but medical science feels it would absolutely unwise to ban animal testing altogether as it would hinder the progress being made in different branches. It is therefore important to study the subject of animal experimentation in order to find out which group has more valid arguments in support of their stance.
From the Paper "Animal testing is the most commonly used method in not only medical research but also all other kind of scientific research, which has resulted in worldwide protests. It is believed that since many animals are subjected to cruelty during the research, it is an unethical practice, which must be banned. Even animal testing for cosmetic products has also been widely condemned. ?According to a 1994 study of the Tufts University Center for Animals and Public Policy, as many as 50 million or more animals were used each year in American medical research before 1970. Because of the growing influence of animal protection groups, this number had declined to an estimated 20 million animals in 1992.?" (http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/index.html)
