most common Victims The shocking number of cruelty cases reported daily in the media is only the tip of the iceberg. Most cases are never reported, and most animal suffering goes unrecognized and unabated.
Although there is no national reporting system for animal abuse, media reports suggest that it is common in rural and urban areas. Cruelty and neglect can also cross socio-economic boundaries. Dogs In media-reported animal cruelty cases, dogs, and pit bull-type dogs, in particular, are the most common victims of animal cruelty. Of 1,880 cruelty cases reported in the media in 2007:
Horses According to the American Horse Council, American own more than 9 million horses, up from more than 6 million in the mid 1990's. Backyard breeding began pet horses. Of more than 2 million Americans who own horses, more than one/third have a household income of less then $50,000. Neither the total number of horse neglect cases nor the percentage of total animal abuse cases classified as horse neglect has risen since the closure of all U.S house slaughter plants. Livestock As HSUS investigations into slaughterhouses and cattle auctions have revealed, animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry. Despite increased feed prices, we found no indication in the news media that the number of livestock neglect cases is increasing, other than a few shocking, high-profile cases. This may, however, simply be a reflection of the weak protections afforded to livestock under state animal cruelty laws. Many states specifically exclude livestock or any "common" agricultural practices from their cruelty laws, and even when good laws exist, it can sometimes be difficult to convince law enforcement to make an arrest and/or to seize livestock who are being neglected or abused. Over the past few years, the number of reported animal neglect cases involving cows and pigs has been lowered slightly, but not enough for us to forget about them. In 2007, there were 20 reported neglect cases and 11 pig neglect cases in 2006, and 26 cow neglect cases and nine pig neglect cases in 2005. Domestic Violence Government data scholarly studies of the prevalence of animal cruelty in domestic violence cases reveals a staggering number of animals are victimized by abusive partners each year. The HSUS stated over one million animals are killed and/or abused each year involving domestic violence. |
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Statistics
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