The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has begun tracking those who abuse animals for the first time in history. Because individuals who abuse animals are more likely to harm people, the FBI believes that tracking the information could help prevent crime and assist in solving open cases.
Using its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), each case of animal abuse will be recorded by placing it into one of four subgroups: animal neglect, intentional torture and abuse, organized abuse or animal sexual abuse. Cockfighting and dogfighting are categorized under the "organized abuse" category. After a period of time, information such as the age, criminal history and the location of those convicted of animal abuse will be made known using the data. …show more content…
1 of this year. Along with tracking the cases, the FBI has changed the classification of animal abuse to a Group A felony. Other group A felonies include murder, assault and arson. Though animal cruelty is now being placed in the same classification as these crimes, animal abuse is only considered a felony in 13 states. Because of this, animal abusers still currently receive lesser consequences than other crimes in the same classification
The idea for the new policy began in 2014 when animal welfare activist Mary Lou Randour convinced the FBI of the seriousness of animal cruelty. Before the new classification, animal cruelty was categorized under the "other" category along with lesser crimes.
FBI studies have shown that serial killers and repeat violent criminals often abuse animals in their early years. A study done by the Chicago Police Department found that 65 percent of those who had abused animals were later arrested for battery against a human. The new classification and tracking system are helping the FBI to get help for those who abuse animals, keeping them from turning to more violent crimes in the
Using its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), each case of animal abuse will be recorded by placing it into one of four subgroups: animal neglect, intentional torture and abuse, organized abuse or animal sexual abuse. Cockfighting and dogfighting are categorized under the "organized abuse" category. After a period of time, information such as the age, criminal history and the location of those convicted of animal abuse will be made known using the data. …show more content…
1 of this year. Along with tracking the cases, the FBI has changed the classification of animal abuse to a Group A felony. Other group A felonies include murder, assault and arson. Though animal cruelty is now being placed in the same classification as these crimes, animal abuse is only considered a felony in 13 states. Because of this, animal abusers still currently receive lesser consequences than other crimes in the same classification
The idea for the new policy began in 2014 when animal welfare activist Mary Lou Randour convinced the FBI of the seriousness of animal cruelty. Before the new classification, animal cruelty was categorized under the "other" category along with lesser crimes.
FBI studies have shown that serial killers and repeat violent criminals often abuse animals in their early years. A study done by the Chicago Police Department found that 65 percent of those who had abused animals were later arrested for battery against a human. The new classification and tracking system are helping the FBI to get help for those who abuse animals, keeping them from turning to more violent crimes in the