Animal Abuse By: Duncan Bowden

The Issue Animal Abuse: “The infliction of physical pain, suffering or death upon an animal, when not necessary for the purposes of training or discipline or (in the case of death) to procure food or to release the animal from incurable suffering.” -MSPCA-Angell

Animal Abuse: “The infliction of physical pain, suffering or death upon an animal, when not necessary for the purposes of training or discipline or (in the case of death) to procure food or to release the animal from incurable suffering.”

-MSPCA-Angell

The Facts 1,675 cases in US in 2008 6 cases in MA in 2001 40 cases in MA in 2005 25 cases in MA in 2008 Neglect is a major part 1/3 cases in 2007 were neglect Most common age range of abusers: 31-40 years

1,675 cases in US in 2008

6 cases in MA in 2001

40 cases in MA in 2005

25 cases in MA in 2008

Neglect is a major part

1/3 cases in 2007 were neglect

Most common age range of abusers: 31-40 years

2009 is a partial year with data through June 1st

Why So Much Neglect Commit to ownership without knowing facts: Average North American dog life expectancy 12.8 years Average cost of a dog yearly: $925 Average cost of a cat yearly: $740 Must pay for: licenses, training classes, spaying or neutering, veterinary care, grooming, kitty litter, food, and toys

Commit to ownership without knowing facts:

Average North American dog life expectancy 12.8 years

Average cost of a dog yearly: $925

Average cost of a cat yearly: $740

Must pay for: licenses, training classes, spaying or neutering, veterinary care, grooming, kitty litter, food, and toys

Notable MA Cases Cow dragged to death behind truck Kitten set on fire Cat beaten with a saucepan Cat found decapitated Dog killed in washing machine

Cow dragged to death behind truck

Kitten set on fire

Cat beaten with a saucepan

Cat found decapitated

Dog killed in washing machine

How You Can Help Report abuse when you see it Adopt previously abused animals Visit animals at a shelter Help change laws to stop abuse Spread information about abuse

Report abuse when you see it

Adopt previously abused animals

Visit animals at a shelter

Help change laws to stop abuse

Spread information about abuse

What I Commit To Visiting animals at a shelter once a month Spreading information about this issue Reporting any possible signs of abuse that I see

Visiting animals at a shelter once a month

Spreading information about this issue

Reporting any possible signs of abuse that I see

Organizations Animal Rescue League of Boston Dedicated to mistreated animals (617)-426-9170 www.arlboston.org MSPCA-Angell Dedicated to animal rights (617)522-7282 www.mspca.org

Animal Rescue League of Boston

Dedicated to mistreated animals

(617)-426-9170

www.arlboston.org

MSPCA-Angell

Dedicated to animal rights

(617)522-7282

www.mspca.org

Bibliography “ Abuse and Neglect.” City of Boston. The City of Boston. 27 May 2009 www.cityofboston.gov . “ Animal Abuse Search Results” WWW.Pet-Abuse.com . 11 April 2009. Pet-Abuse.com. 1June 2009 www.pet-abuse.com . “ Are You Ready to Adopt.” MSPCA-Angell. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 27 May 2009 www.mspca.org . “ Law Enforcement Department.” Animal Rescue League of Boston . Animal Rescue League of Boston. 27 May 2009 www.arlboston.org . “ Life Expectancy In Dogs.” Pets.ca. 2006. Pets.ca. 1 June 2009 www.pets.ca.htm .

“ Abuse and Neglect.” City of Boston. The City of Boston. 27 May 2009 www.cityofboston.gov .

“ Animal Abuse Search Results” WWW.Pet-Abuse.com . 11 April 2009. Pet-Abuse.com. 1June 2009 www.pet-abuse.com .

“ Are You Ready to Adopt.” MSPCA-Angell. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 27 May 2009 www.mspca.org .

“ Law Enforcement Department.” Animal Rescue League of Boston . Animal Rescue League of Boston. 27 May 2009 www.arlboston.org .

“ Life Expectancy In Dogs.” Pets.ca. 2006. Pets.ca. 1 June 2009 www.pets.ca.htm .