Tell Congress: Stop the Cycle of Cruelty and Violence

Animal cruelty is horrifying on its own.

But it can also be a warning sign of violence against people.

Time and again, people who commit violence against partners, children, elderly people, and others are found to have histories of abusing animals. In fact, studies show that 70% of convicted animal abusers commit another crime, and nearly 40% go on to commit violent crimes against people.

Those numbers should be a wake-up call.

Yet animal cruelty is often underreported and underinvestigated. And many communities simply don’t have the resources, training, or programs they need to intervene effectively.

We can do better—for animals and for people.

That’s why Congress must pass the bipartisan Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of (AVERT) Future Violence Act.

The AVERT Future Violence Act would direct the Justice Department to study the connection between animal cruelty and future violence, including the risk factors associated with animal abuse and which interventions can help prevent further harm.

But it wouldn’t stop at studying the problem.

The bill would also authorize $2 million annually in grants to support mental health professionals, law enforcement, and animal welfare organizations working to stop animal cruelty and rehabilitate offenders.

That means giving communities more tools to recognize warning signs, intervene earlier, and prevent animals—and potentially people—from becoming victims.

No animal should have to endure cruelty while warning signs are ignored. And communities shouldn’t have to wait until violence moves from animals to people to take those warning signs seriously.

Animal cruelty inflicts fear, pain, and suffering on animals who depend on us for protection. When taking that cruelty seriously can also help prevent further violence, the case for acting early is even stronger.

Please sign the petition asking Congress to swiftly pass the bipartisan Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of (AVERT) Future Violence Act.

The petition to Congress reads: Please cosponsor and pass the bipartisan Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of (AVERT) Future Violence Act, S. 4562/H.R. 8911. Animal cruelty causes tremendous suffering and can be a warning sign of future violence against people. This commonsense legislation would help us better understand that connection while giving communities resources to intervene, prevent cruelty, and rehabilitate offenders. Protect animals, help prevent violence against people, and pass the AVERT Future Violence Act.
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Source:

https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-peters-reintroduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-study-link-between-animal-cruelty-and-interpersonal-violence