Abuse/Neglect
Meredith Lee/The HSUS
Overview
HSI works globally and locally to address animal abuse and neglect. These efforts include education initiatives, policy coordination and facilitating implementation. HSI trains law enforcement and government officials on animal cruelty investigation and prosecution and collaborates on humane animal control efforts.
86%
Percentage of those arrested for animal cruelty with multiple arrests in their past, including 70% with previous felony arrests
100%
Recidivism rate of animal hoarders without legal or psychiatric intervention
71%
Percentage of domestic violence victims reporting that their pets have also been threatened, harmed or killed by their abuser
The issue
HSI fights abuse and neglect of animals in their many forms. Recognizing the well-documented link between animal abuse and human violence, HSI works to pass animal welfare laws in countries that lack it, upgrade laws where legislation is weak, outlaw the most heinous practices involving animals, and train and assist government agencies in enforcement of those laws.
About abuse/neglect:
- There is a well-established link between animal abuse and human violence, including domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse and other violent crimes.
- Animal protection needs worldwide span individual, group and institutional abuse.
- Customs, laws and cultural traditions in different regions can pose challenges and require culturally sensitive navigation, methods and solutions to animal welfare concerns.
- Some do not see animals as sentient beings who possess basic feelings, like loneliness, pain, fear and happiness.
- Puppy mills remain a widespread, significant animal abuse and cruelty issue.
- There are three types of animal hoarders: overwhelmed caregivers, rescuer hoarders and exploiter hoarders.
Our work in action
End the export of live horses for slaughter from Canada
Urge Canada to stop allowing thousands of live horses to be flown to Japan to be slaughtered for meat
