ART 3170 Civic Engagement: Social Issues "Action" Project: Amber Handbury

Civic Engagement

Definition of Civic Engagement from:

(2018). In American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/education/undergrad/civic-engagement.aspx

One useful definition of civic engagement is the following: individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual voluntarism to organizational involvement to electoral participation.

Definition of Civic Engagement from:

Civic Engagements Initiative (n.d.). In Seminole State College of Florida. Retrieved March 6, 2018, from https://www.naspa.org/images/uploads/main/Seminole_State_University_Civic_engagement_model.pdf

Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.

My Definition of Civic Engagement:

Civic Engagement means individuals or groups of people who are working to make a difference in our communities by addressing issues of public concern.

Animal Cruelty

"Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly."-The Humane Society

"Neglect is not giving an animal necessary food, water, shelter or vet care. Because their misery is often prolonged, animals who die of neglect can suffer just as much as animals who are deliberately harmed."-The Humane Society

Animal cruelty is an incredibly wide spread issue that is more prevalent in our communities than most people are aware. The hard truth is that most cases of animal cruelty are never reported. Not only are the cases not often reported but cases of animal abuse are not compiled by state or federal agencies, making it difficult to gather statistical data.

General Facts

Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60
Animals whose abuse is most often reported:

70.1% Dogs
20.9% Cats
24.1% Other animals (generally horses and livestock)

Animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry.
10,000 estimated puppy mills in the U.S.

250,000 animals fall victim to hoarding annually

Dogfighting

Fights average one to two hours, ending when one of the dogs cannot continue.

The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are severe and often fatal.

Typical dogfighting injuries include severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones. Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection hours or even days after the fight.

Other Crimes Associated with Dogfighting

Dogfighting, cockfighting and other forms of organized animal cruelty go hand in hand with other crimes
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has prosecuted multiple cases where drug cartels were running narcotics through cockfighting and dogfighting operations.
Dozens of homicides have occurred at cockfights and dogfights.
The sale and use of illegal drugs is common at dogfights as well, and firearms and other weapons have been found at these events due to the large amounts of cash present.

Correlation with Human Violence

Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.
Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses.
Pet abuse is one of the four predictors of domestic partner violence, according to a six-year "gold standard" study conducted in 11 metropolitan cities.
One survey reported that 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets.
Researchers have found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet.
In a study of families that were under investigation for suspected child abuse, researchers found that pet abuse had occurred in 88% of the families.
A 2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department "revealed a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims." Of those arrested for animal crimes, 65% had been arrested for battery against another person.
In a study that questioned 36 convicted multiple murderers, 46% admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents. And of seven school shootings that took place across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys who had previously committed acts of animal cruelty.
Animal abuse in the form of neglect is often one of the first indicators of distress in the household. Whether owing to lack of empathy, mental illness, or substance abuse, a person who fails to provide minimal care for the family pet is more likely to neglect the basic needs of other dependents in the household.

Shelters and Animal Homelessness

Approximately 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Approximately 3 million don't make it out.
The majority of shelter populations are comprised of strays, rescues and surrenders:

Stray animals are often found on the streets and brought in by Good Samaritans or local law authorities.
Rescued animals often come from situations like animal hoarding, dog fighting rings and puppy mills. These animals often suffer from trauma and require extra care and rehabilitation.
Surrendered animals are animals whose owners can no longer care for them due to financial, behavioral or other unforeseen barriers.

Only about 50% of shelter dogs are adopted.
Only about 50% of shelter cats are adopted.
Each, year approximately 1.5 million animals are euthanized.
About 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners.

Why This Issue Matters to Me

This issue matters to me because I have found a few strays before. When we find them we bring them to a shelter. We took care of one of the dogs we found for a while until we found her a good home. The others were left in the care of a shelter. There was one dog we found that we weren't able to bring to our local shelter, this one has always stuck in my memory. I was at my Dad's shop and a pit bull wondered in. The dog was very sweet and seemed friendly, but it also had a few scars and some scabbed over injuries. We were going to take her in to the shelter but she got away before we could. I have always wondered what happened to that dog.

The dog in the image up above is my dog, Demon. We adopted him from our local shelter. Despite his name he is as sweet as they come.

The black dog in the image on the right is of one of the dogs we found. This dog was brought to the local shelter.

Other People Who Believe This Issue Matters

Dustin Garnet

Sonia

Camerin

Hitoe

All of the information in this blog can be found on the Humane Society and ASPCA websites.

References

(n.d.). In Animal Cruelty Facts and Stats. Retrieved from www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/animal_cruelty_facts_statistics.html

Shelter Intake and Surrender (n.d.). In ASPCA. Retrieved March 30, 2018, from https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Amber Handbury

Civic Engagement

Animal Cruelty

"Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly."-The Humane Society

"Animal cruelty can be either deliberate abuse or simply the failure to take care of an animal. Either way, and whether the animal is a pet, a farm animal or wildlife, the victim can suffer terribly."-The Humane Society

"Neglect is not giving an animal necessary food, water, shelter or vet care. Because their misery is often prolonged, animals who die of neglect can suffer just as much as animals who are deliberately harmed."-The Humane Society

"Neglect is not giving an animal necessary food, water, shelter or vet care. Because their misery is often prolonged, animals who die of neglect can suffer just as much as animals who are deliberately harmed."-The Humane Society

General Facts

Surveys suggest that those who intentionally abuse animals are predominantly men under 30, while those involved in animal hoarding are more likely to be women over 60

Animals whose abuse is most often reported:

70.1% Dogs

20.9% Cats

24.1% Other animals (generally horses and livestock)

Animal abuse abounds in the factory farm industry.

10,000 estimated puppy mills in the U.S.

250,000 animals fall victim to hoarding annually

Dogfighting

Fights average one to two hours, ending when one of the dogs cannot continue.

The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are severe and often fatal.

Typical dogfighting injuries include severe bruising, deep puncture wounds and broken bones. Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection hours or even days after the fight.

Other Crimes Associated with Dogfighting

Dogfighting, cockfighting and other forms of organized animal cruelty go hand in hand with other crimes

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has prosecuted multiple cases where drug cartels were running narcotics through cockfighting and dogfighting operations.

Dozens of homicides have occurred at cockfights and dogfights.

The sale and use of illegal drugs is common at dogfights as well, and firearms and other weapons have been found at these events due to the large amounts of cash present.

Correlation with Human Violence

Intentional cruelty to animals is strongly correlated with other crimes, including violence against people.

Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses.

Pet abuse is one of the four predictors of domestic partner violence, according to a six-year "gold standard" study conducted in 11 metropolitan cities.

One survey reported that 71% of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets.

Researchers have found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet.

In a study of families that were under investigation for suspected child abuse, researchers found that pet abuse had occurred in 88% of the families.

A 2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department "revealed a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims." Of those arrested for animal crimes, 65% had been arrested for battery against another person.

In a study that questioned 36 convicted multiple murderers, 46% admitted committing acts of animal torture as adolescents. And of seven school shootings that took place across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys who had previously committed acts of animal cruelty.

Shelters and Animal Homelessness

Approximately 6.5 million animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Approximately 3 million don't make it out.

The majority of shelter populations are comprised of strays, rescues and surrenders:

Stray animals are often found on the streets and brought in by Good Samaritans or local law authorities.

Rescued animals often come from situations like animal hoarding, dog fighting rings and puppy mills. These animals often suffer from trauma and require extra care and rehabilitation.

Surrendered animals are animals whose owners can no longer care for them due to financial, behavioral or other unforeseen barriers.

Only about 50% of shelter dogs are adopted.

Only about 50% of shelter cats are adopted.

Each, year approximately 1.5 million animals are euthanized.

About 710,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners.

Why This Issue Matters to Me

The dog in the image up above is my dog, Demon. We adopted him from our local shelter. Despite his name he is as sweet as they come.

The black dog in the image on the right is of one of the dogs we found. This dog was brought to the local shelter.

Other People Who Believe This Issue Matters

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