Animal Cruelty

1. Animal Cruelty Environmental Science Sp09 Tiffany J Copeland

2. What is animal cruelty? • Infliction of pain, suffering, or death upon an animal or the intentional or malicious neglect of an animal. However, it has also been defined as causing harm for specific gain such as killing animals for food or fur use.

3. Two Categories of Abuse • Direct Violence • Neglect

4. Direct Violence • The types of direct violence that animals suffer every day at the hands of people include being beaten, mutilated, shot, set on fire or otherwise tortured. The intentional suffering inflicted on these animals can result in severe injury or death.

5. Neglect • Other animals suffer and die from neglect when they are denied proper food, water or shelter, causing them to slowly starve to death or die from exposure to freezing cold or sweltering hot temperatures. Hoarding animals can also cause suffering on a large scale.

6. Common Types of Direct Violence • Most common types of Direct violence in Philadelphia: • Dog fighting • Cock fighting

7. Dog Fighting • Organized dog fighting, two dogs, usually pit bulls, fight until one or both can't continue.

8. How does it cause animals suffering? • The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones.

9. How does it cause animals suffering? (cont.) • Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements.

10. Cock fighting • Cockfighting is a centuries-old blood sport in which two or more specially bred birds, known as gamecocks, are placed in an enclosure to fight, for the primary purposes of gambling and entertainment. A typical cockfight can last anywhere from several minutes to more than half an hour.

11. How does it cause animal suffering? • The birds, even those who do not die, suffer in cockfights. The birds cannot escape from the fight, regardless of how exhausted or injured they become. Common injuries include punctured lungs, broken bones, and pierced eyes. Such severe injuries occur because the birds' legs are usually fitted with razor-sharp steel blades or with gaffs, which resemble three-inch-long, curved ice picks. These artificial spurs are designed to puncture and mutilate.

12. Most common victim of animals abuse? • In media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs are the most common victims of animal cruelty. Pit bulls, in particular, constitute an increasing percentage of victimized animals. • Of 1,880 cruelty cases* reported in the media in 2007: • 64.5 percent (1,212) involved dogs • 18 percent (337) involved cats • 25 percent (470) involved other animals 

13. Pit-bull terrier true story • A cross between terrier and bulldog • Between the 1800’s-1900’s, the dog was bred first to bait bulls and bears. • When baiting bulls was deemed inhumane, dog fighting became more popular, and the APBT was used in the sport. • With time, the dogs became more commonly used as house pets due to their friendliness towards people. In America, farmers and ranchers used their APBT for protection, as catch dogs for semi-wild cattle and hogs, to hunt, and to drive livestock.

14. Pit-bull true story (cont) • The APBT is a breed that is loyal to friends and family, and friendly to strangers. Proper training can make the dog obedient and have a high desire to please. Without proper guidance, though, the breed can become stubborn, and at times, aggressive. A study done by the CDC showed that "pit bull" breeds accounted for the majority of dog related fatalities in the United States between 1979 and 1996.

15. Pit bulls today • Pit bulls represent an increasing percentage of total canine animal cruelty cases. • In 2000 and 2001, pit bulls were the victims in 13 percent of reported dog abuse cases.  • In 2007, pit bulls were the victims in 25 percent of reported dog abuse cases.

16. Animals in domestic Violence • The Humane Society has estimated that 1 million animals a year are abused or killed during domestic disputes between intimate partners. • About 2,168,000 women and men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States (U.S. Department of Justice, 2000). • Sixty-three percent of U.S. households own a pet (APPMA, 2006). • Seventy-one percent of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also targeted their animal (Ascione, 1997).

17. PSPCA • The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, is an organization dedicated to the care of animals. • The PSPCA address the needs of over a thousand homeless animals. What started out just as a single center in Philadelphia, it became state-wide operation with six busy shelters.

18. What I do as a Technician? • As a CVT (Certified Veterinarian Technician) it is my job to make sure that animals are treated with the proper medical care. • I make sure that the animals of the shelter are provide with the right medications and dosages. • I inform the Veterinarian if I have found any abnormities during physical exams. • I provide love, care, and security to all the animals of the shelter.

19. My experience with cruelty • As tech at the PSPCA I deal with cruelty cases everyday. • Being a person of the medical field its my job to try and nurse these animals until they maintain stability (doesn’t work all the time).

20. Petey the pit-bull puppy • Petey is a 6-12mo old pit-bull puppy who came into our shelter severely dehydrated, undernourished, under fed, dirty, some bruises, and he had a temperature of 96.0 F (really low).

21. Petey the pit-bull puppy • We gave petey a physical exam to make sure there were no more serious condition that we needed to address. Police officers took photos of the puppy in order to gather evidence of possible cruelty. • We administered 400ml of warm subcutaneous (under the skin) fluids to help with the dehydration and to raise his temperature. • He was sent to the ICU for further diagnostics, while police investigated the people who “found” the puppy.

22. First step to helping prevent cruelty. First part in helping these animals is to learn what to look for to indicate if they have been abused. • Signs to look for: • Tick or flea infestations. Such a condition, if left untreated by a veterinarian, can lead to an animal's death. • Wounds on the body. • Patches of missing hair. • Extremely thin, starving animals. • Limping. • An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal. • Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, often chained up in a yard. • Dogs who have been hit by cars-or are showing any of the signs listed above-and have not been taken to a veterinarian. • Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions. • Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners

23. How to contact you local authorities? • Contacting your local authorities is a great way in preventing animals abuse. Without phone calls from the concerned citizens who report cruelty in their neighborhoods, we wouldn't know about most instances of animal abuse. It all comes from the public, it all starts with YOU—that's why it's so important to keep your eyes and ears open. Get to know and look out for the animals in your neighborhood. By being aware, you're more likely to notice, for example, that the dog next door who was once hefty has lost weight rapidly—a possible indicator of abuse

24. List of numbers to call encase of abuse. • 911(local police) • 1-866-601-SPCA (animal control/abuse officers) or your local shelter in what sate your in.

25. Animal Cruelty laws in PA • Cruelty to animals is defined as: “wantonly or cruelly ill-treats, overloads, beats, otherwise abuses any animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, or abandons any animal, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or veterinary care, or access to clean and sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against inclement weather and preserve the animal's body heat and keep it dry.” This is a summary offense with a fine of $50-750 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days.  • It is a Misdemeanor in the second degree if a person: “Kills, maims or disfigures any domestic animal of another person or any domestic fowl of another person; administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any domestic animal of another person or domestic fowl of another person; harasses, annoys, injures, attempts to injure, molests or interferes with a dog guide, hearing dog or service dog.”  This is punishable with a fine of not less than $500.  • It is a Felony in the third degree if a person: “Kills, maims or disfigures any zoo animal in captivity; or administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any zoo animal in captivity.”  This is punishable by a fine up to $15,000 and/or up to 7 years in prison. • It is a Misdemeanor in the first degree if a person: “Kills, maims, mutilates, tortures or disfigures any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise; or administers poison to or exposes any poisonous substance with the intent to administer such poison to any dog or cat, whether belonging to himself or otherwise”  This is punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years. A subsequent conviction is a Felony in the 3rd Degree, punishable by a fine up to $15,000 and/or imprisonment up to 7 years.

26. Donating • Donating to shelters like the PSPCA helps to keep the homes of these homeless animals safe and warm until adoption or rescue. • Etana Fund-prevent and prosecute abuse and neglect. • Kofte Fund-help pay for medical interventions for stray animals who have no one to provide for their care. • Puppy Mill Fund-The Pennsylvania SPCA's Puppy Mill Fund was established to abolish cruelty and abuse in the industrialized dog breeding kennels known as "puppy mills."

27. Dog Park Fund • The PSPCA Dog Park will give Philadelphia's abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs a place to run, play, and socialize. Many of the dogs in our shelter are held for months while they await the criminal trail of their abusive owners. The dogs have done nothing wrong but we have to hold them until the trials are over. The Dog Park will give every PSPCA dog outside play time every day. It will bring much joy and relaxation to these dogs who have suffered so much. Between private dog yards and a communal play area, PSPCA dogs will romp in over 18,000 square feet of park full of trees, dog fountains, and agility equipment. Play will help them recover from their past abuses and teach them how to trust again. With your help, thousands of dogs will be able to experience lazy summer days outside while they wait for their forever-homes.

28. Volunteering Volunteers play an essential part in helping the Pennsylvania SPCA achieve its mission. Volunteers support the PSPCA staff both inside the shelter and at our community events. Requirements: • Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. • Volunteers must be able to commit to an average of 8 hours a month for 6 months. • Community service requirements will only be honored through office work.

29. Ways to Volunteer • Cat and Critter Caregiver • Dog Caregiver • Adoption Counselor Assistant • Adoption Event Assistant / Animal Handler • Special Event Assistant • Digital Photographer • Office Assistant • Feral Cat Clinic Assistant (held monthly) • Clinic Assistant (must have a med/vet background) • Skills based positions or internships if you have training in a separate field (i.e. fundraising, grant writing, web design, public relations, etc.)

30. Fostering The PSPCA Foster Care Volunteer program is designed to provide a caring home where animals can receive more individualized attention while they recover from illness, are socialized, and allowed to become strong enough or old enough to be placed in a forever home. Individuals should have experience with the animals they choose to foster or be available for training. We provide free medical care at our animal hospital. The foster care provider has first chance to adopt the animal or arrange adoptions with qualified, interested parties. Foster caregivers are also entitled to bring four of their own pets for free inoculations and routine medical care at our animal hospital.

31. Available Fosters

32. Why does preventing cruelty matter? • Despite what people might think, animals have feelings and want to be loved. Just like a human from birth they need proper nutrients to help them grow as well as a clean place to live. Animals are very expensive to take care of, so maybe you should think twice before giving it a home. If you feel as though you cannot take care of your animal, please don’t take your frustration out on them. Just bring them to your local shelter so they may have a second chance at a home. If you see a case of cruelty don’t just stand there, do something about it and call your local authorities.

33. Any Questions

34. References • http://www.hsus.org/acf/cruelty/publiced/cruelty_facts_statistics_trends.html • http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/html/cruelty_law_ne-wy.html#Pennsylvania • www.pspca.org • http://www.utahhumane.org/Investigation/CrueltyStatistics/tabid/517/Default.aspx