Understanding the differences between intentional animal cruelty and neglect can inform how authorities respond to these crimes

There is a growing body of research which links incidents of animal cruelty with other crimes, such as violence between people. In new research which takes advantage of data on over 8,700 animal cruelty offences from the FBI, Lynn Addington finds that two-thirds of animal cruelty crimes reported involved neglect cases and one-third intentional cruelty, and that virtually all neglect cases did not involve another crime. She writes that the pattern of intentional animal abuse which occur alongside violent crimes means that authorities should consider anti-violence prevention programs that also involve animals. The findings also suggest a need to develop separate interventions for cases of animal neglect compared to those involving intentional cruelty.