GOOD NEWS: FBI to classify animal abusers in same category as murders beginning in 2016. The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced this week that animal abuse will be prosecuted as a “crime against society.”
Unless you’re a lawyer this probably means very little to you and sounds confusing. Basically, it is the most serious type of crime one can commit; punishments vary by state.
This change was announced by John Thompson at the National Sheriffs’ Association. FBI Investigation Director James Comey signed off on including animal cruelty offenses in the Uniform Crime Report. Local agencies will also track them to report to the FBI.
What Classifies a Crime Against Society
The crime against society classification is extremely important in prosecuting and tracking animal abuse. Under this classification, the FBI can collect and track information about animal abuse, which will allow reliable statistics to be generated and shared.
Animal abuse will now be a part of the crime reports that law enforcement must complete every month and allow officials to have better insight into trends so that they can more effectively combat abuse.
According to the FBI, the official definition of animal cruelty will be:
“Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly taking an action that mistreats or kills any animal without just cause, such as torturing, tormenting, mutilation, maiming, poisoning, or abandonment.
A Positive Step for Animals
This shift in law enforcement is an indication of a positive change in how animals are viewed.
The new classification also splits animal abuse into types by which law enforcement must identify incidents.
By reclassifying animal abuse and releasing a clear definition of what implicates abuse, the FBI is taking decisive steps towards changing the way our society views animals.
The Examiner
One Green Planet
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