By Virginia M. Prevas, MSW, LGSW

It's hard to imagine why anyone would intentionally mistreat an animal, especially a companion animal. After all, cats, dogs, and other pets are sources of comfort and stability. Yet every day in the United States hundreds of animals are deliberately abused, and a percentage of the attackers are teens. And companion animals aren't alone—farm animals, wildlife, and exotic animals are also victims of cruelty.

In a review of 1,677 animal cruelty cases from 2001, The Humane Society of the United States found that teens were responsible for 20 percent of those involving deliberate abuse. And of that group, 95 percent were young men. The most common offenses included burning and shooting animals. These findings raise concern not only for the animals who suffer at the hands of teens, but also for the young people who commit these terrible acts. Without proper intervention, they may be at risk for escalating their violence toward people.

That's why we focused on teens in our second annual Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week, held in April 2002. We introduced a new flyer, 10 Things Teens Can Do to Help Stop Animal Cruelty, offering safe and simple suggestions for teens, such as how to get help for an injured animal. We are also reaching out to teens with a new public service announcement (PSA) created by University of North Carolina journalism students for their peers. Plans are underway for collaborations with other organizations that provide teen services.

We aren't alone in recognizing the importance of teaching young people that animal cruelty is a serious crime requiring intervention. During the last 25 years, study after study in psychology, sociology, and criminology have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI recognized this connection in its own analysis of serial killers. And the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.

In 1997, The HSUS launched our First Strike® campaign to raise awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. A first strike against an animal may be the first strike in a lifetime of violence. We educate professionals nationwide about finding solutions to end violence in their communities. And we have begun direct outreach efforts to get teens and those who have an influence on them to join the First Strike effort.

Our First Strike materials are available to HSUS members nationwide, so you, too, can raise awareness about the animal cruelty/human violence connection in your community. To request our teen flyer, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to First Strike, The HSUS, 2100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037. For additional information, visit our website under "Related Information" or call 1-888-213-0956.

Virginia M. Prevas is manager of The HSUS First Strike campaign.