Protecting animals – and people

Cases of horrific animal abuse regularly catch public attention. Organizations and government agencies are taking action. You can help.

When a star athlete like Michael Vick goes to prison over dog fighting, or twin teenagers in Baltimore are arrested in the fatal burning of a pit bull, the headlines are big – and rightly so. But neglect of and intentional violence against pets and livestock occur every day.

Yesterday, the Humane Society of the United States announced the launch of a national animal-fighting tip line: 877-TIP-HSUS (877-847-4787). The Humane Society offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dog- or cockfighting.

Today, a new task force with the goal of helping Baltimore prevent and prosecute animal cruelty will meet for the first time. The task force will consist of representatives from the State Attorney’s office, the City Council, the Mayor’s office, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the executive directors of the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Center and the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and others.

The task force, which will be led by attorney and longtime animal-protection activist Caroline Griffin, will submit its recommendations to Mayor Sheila Dixon next summer.

“The protection and safety of animals in the city of Baltimore is an important concern,” Dixon said. “This is more than a legal issue. This is a community issue.  If you improve animal welfare in a community, you improve public safety for everyone.”

As the mayor says, this is about more than cruelty to animals. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the FBI and others, abusing animals shows the likelihood that a person will move on to harm or kill humans.

The Humane Society of the United States answers common questions about animal abuse, and what to do about it, here.