9/26/02
What Leads To Animal Abuse?

By Som Lisaius , News 13

"These are the kinds of cases where normally there's other things involved when it involves animal cruelty." While Clint Stinson, the Deputy County Attorney is talking about the 14 year old boy accused of mutilating a poodle, his message can be applied to virtually any case of animal cruelty. Others agree. "They have felt disempowered. They've been extremely angry...they've possibly experienced severe trauma themselves." At-risk teen advocate Kevin Jackson agrees: animal abuse doesn't happen without a reason. "When somebody is caught either after the fact or in the act of victimizing a helpless individual or animal," Jackson says, "it's a very visible sign there's a need for help there." Whether that's the case here remains to be seen, especially since the latest suspect has a form of autism. Still, that doesn't change the fact...more and more animals seem to be getting abused. "The more people know about it...the more they'll prevent it." Humane Society representative Marsh Myers isn't so sure there are more incidents of abuse today. Instead, he says there's greater awareness... As was the case with a skinned puppy...where donations reached 43-thousand dollars for information leading to an arrest. "The one thing that comforts me," Myers says, "the one thing that gives me hope is the fact that we had such an outpouring of help and sympathy from the community...who are saying--we're not going to tolerate this in our community." As for catching those who do this to animals, the experts say time is of the essence. Not only for the sake of animals, but for the community, even the individuals themselves. Says Jackson, "The statistics show and the research seems to prove that unless intervention happens unless they get the help they need, they will continue to be victimizers and predatory throughout their lives...and it can escalate from there." As for the 14 year old suspect, accused of mutilating the poodle, he'll remain in juvenile custody until at least October 10th. A psychological evaluation will be performed next Tuesday, the results of which will be revealed on October 10th...during the suspect's first detention hearing.