Argumentative Essay On Animal Abuse

Animal Cruelty is a large concern in this day and age. It causes many debates between all kinds of groups and people. As research is unveiled, this abuse continues to grow in significance. Many laws have been passed about this important topic, but still many argue and push for laws to be changed for better or for worse. Animal Cruelty should be considered a crime as serious as homicide.
The federal government is now considering animal cruelty a Class A felony. As of January 6, 2016, this law has been put in motion. A Class A felony is one for the most serious types of felonies such as first degree murder, rape, or other crimes that are considered to be heinous. Now that this regulation is passed, it is really showing the importance of animal mistreatment. The federal government considering this so strong of an issue, further proves my statement of cruelty to animals being considered as to the highest importance.

New research and studies are coming out showing that animal cruelty is an indicator of future violence and is linked with domestic abuse.

For example, Jeffrey Dahmer and David Berkowitz -- the "Son of Sam” are two infamous serial killers. They both admitted to abusing and killing animals as children. According to American Psychiatric Association, animal abuse is one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder ( according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), conduct disorder is a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in which the basic rights of others or major age appropriate societal norms or rules are violated) . Also, statistically animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people. Overall, the facts show that animal cruelty is a serious concern to our society as a

whole.
To take on a different perspective, some people believe that animals are not a top priority and abuse lands too many in jail. Many believe that focusing on animal cruelty does not serve “the common man” and that we have more important things to worry about. Also, some believe that animals do not respect our basic rights and therefore we should not respect theirs. While these arguments prove a fair point, many people do not consider the positive impact animals have on us. Also the quality of treatment of an animal reflects back onto business, be it meat, breeding, or entertaining.
Animal rights activists fight cruelty believing that animals are equal to us. Many groups support animal equality, including The Humane Society, Animal Equality, Mercy For Animals, and PETA. It is not the animal’s fault that humans are the dominant species, causing people to put themselves on a pedestal as if they are above the animals. While some species of animals may be smarter than others, everyone deserves basic rights. Many people fight animal inequality by going vegan and vegetarian. No one needs to change a life style, all one needs to do is respect an animal as they would respect another human.
In conclusion, I believe animal cruelty should be a crime on the same level as homicide. Studies show the negative impact abuse has on people and animals. Cruelty is constantly being fought by groups of animal rights activists and the government. Maybe one day we can stop animal cruelty, as for now people need to stop it one by one.