Animal Abuse Statistics

Animal abuse statistics tell us about those who are inflicting harm on animals.  This is not for self-defense or food.  It is simply done out of cruelty.  For this reason, it is sad but yet important to note what is actually occurring.  With this in mind, here are some of the statistics that you should know about.

1. According to the American Kennel Club 80% of puppies come from puppy mills.  This is a mass breeding operation.  Not only are the dogs kept in deplorable conditions within these places but many of them are also ill and suffering.  Between two and four million puppies are bred in this fashion each year.
2. Studies have proven that 70% of those who abuse animals also have a record for having committed another crime.  Usually these crimes include domestic violence.  As such, it should come as no surprised that animal cruelty is just another violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence that is aimed at these vulnerable people.
3. Whenever battered women enter a woman’s shelter they are interviewed and 71% of those who owned pets said that their abuser had injured, maimed, killed or threatened the pet.  This is done for either revenge or to psychologically control the victim.  Another 32% of these people have reported that their children had either hurt or killed an animal.
4. Animal abuse exists in all social classes and locations – both rural and urban.  Unfortunately hundreds, if not thousands, of cases of animal abuse go unreported each year.  Both domestic and stray animals suffer from these violent attacks.  However, the most commonly abused animals include horses, livestock, dogs, cats and birds.
5. Research has shown that circus animals are tortured throughout their entire lives.  They are forced to perform regardless as to whether they are sick or injured.  Tight collars, whips and the deprivation of food is common.  Once they are too old to perform any longer they oftentimes face a gruesome death.