[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL LINK AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation to bring awareness to the link between animal cruelty and 
other forms of societal violence by designating the month of May 2009 
as National Link Awareness Month.
  This resolution would highlight the need for more attention and 
resources to be focused on how violence toward animals is indicative of 
other violent tendencies. By investigating the link further, 
information could be gathered that will help mitigate societal 
violence.
  Psychological, sociological, and criminological studies have shown 
that violent offenders frequently had a history of abusing animals 
during their childhood and adolescence. The FBI has recognized the 
connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial 
killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. 
Research has also shown patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators 
of child abuse, spousal abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American 
Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic 
criteria of conduct disorder.
  The link between animal abuse and domestic violence is a recognized 
fact. Each year, defenseless pets face the sad and disturbing reality 
that they will be victims of cruelty and abuse. Domestic abusers 
commonly torture or kill family pets as a method of exerting control 
and ensuring submission. This causes victims, children and adults 
alike, to remain in violent households in order to ensure their beloved 
pets are not harmed further.
  Research indicates that children who are exposed to domestic violence 
are nearly three times more likely to mistreat animals than children 
who are not exposed to such violence. Tragically, this behavior is 
often symptomatic of future abuse toward other animals or human beings. 
Significant research documents a relationship between childhood 
histories of animal cruelty and patterns of chronic interpersonal 
aggression.
  Due to the correlation between animal abuse and other forms of family 
and community violence, animal abuse must be taken very seriously. 
Human services, animal services, and law enforcement agencies must 
share resources and expertise to address animal and human related 
violence in communities. By effectively and comprehensively addressing 
the link between violence toward animals and other forms of societal 
violence, we can learn information that will help stop violence in the 
home as well as the community at large.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the designation of May 
2009 as National Link Awareness Month so that more awareness will be 
brought to the link between animal cruelty and other forms of violence 
in society.

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