By P Mohan Chandran
Are the seeds of violent crime sown in the acts of cruelty inflicted on animals? Can a trail of animal abuse lead us to a burgeoning criminal mind, destined to wreak havoc on human lives too? Does the chilling howl of a tormented animal echo the foreboding silence of future victims? The answers, chillingly, veer towards affirmation. Research, psychological studies, and real-life instances suggest a deeply disturbing link between animal cruelty and the escalation of criminal behaviour.
Imagine a young child, barely in his teens, secretly torturing a helpless puppy in his backyard. A shiver runs down your spine, but the situation takes a more horrifying turn when we see this behaviour not as an isolated incident but a prelude to a potential escalation into acts of violence against fellow humans. The phenomenon, widely studied by psychologists and criminologists, is not as far-fetched as it seems.
Renowned organizations like the American Psychiatric Association and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) acknowledge this ominous link. Animal cruelty is considered a sign of Conduct Disorder by the former, and the latter, as of 2016, started categorizing animal cruelty as a Group A felony, akin to arson and murder. Why? Because research points out that those who harm animals may be more likely to harm humans too.
A study conducted by Arluke, Levin, Luke, and Ascione (1999), demonstrated that there is a statistically significant relationship between an individual's history of animal abuse and their likelihood of engaging in violent behaviour towards humans. The evidence reveals an unsettling trajectory, where the perpetrator, emboldened by the ‘success’ of exerting control over a helpless creature, graduates to larger displays of dominance and violence against fellow human beings.
Let’s analyze the case of two infamous killers – Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer – both of whom had histories of animal abuse. As children, they indulged in acts of animal cruelty – a chilling prelude to the atrocities they would later commit.
Ted Bundy was born in Burlington, Vermont, in 1946. He was adopted by Eleanor and Lloyd Bundy when he was just a baby. Bundy's childhood was marked by instability and neglect. He reportedly began torturing animals at a young age, and he later admitted to killing at least two women in his early 20s.
Bundy began his killing spree in 1974, and he is believed to have killed at least 30 women across several states. He was eventually captured and convicted of two murders, but he confessed to many more before his execution in 1989.
Bundy's criminal behavior was characterized by a pattern of violence and control. He would often target young women who were alone, and he would use his charm and charisma to gain their trust. Once he had them in his control, he would brutally murder them.
Bundy's behavior is often linked to his childhood experiences. He reportedly witnessed his father abusing his mother, and he himself was physically and emotionally abused by his adoptive parents. These experiences may have left him with a deep sense of rage and insecurity, which he later expressed through his violence against women. Bundy's case is a reminder of the dangers of animal cruelty. Studies have shown that people who abuse animals are more likely to commit violence against humans.
Now let’s analyze the life of Jeffrey Dahmer. Dahmer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 21, 1960. He was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and a psychotic disorder. He was a heavy drinker and drug user. He had a fascination with death and dismemberment from a young age.
He was a serial killer and sex offender who murdered and dismembered 17 males between 1978 and 1991. He drilled holes in the heads of his victims while they were still alive and injected them with acid in an attempt to create "zombies." He ate the flesh of some of his victims. He kept body parts of his victims in his refrigerator and apartment.
His victims were mostly young men of color, and he often lured them to his home with the promise of money or sex. Dahmer would then drug, rape, and kill his victims. He would often dismember their bodies and keep body parts as trophies. Dahmer was arrested in 1991 after a man he had drugged and handcuffed escaped from his apartment. He was convicted of 15 counts of murder and sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms in prison. Dahmer was beaten to death by a fellow inmate in 1994. Dahmer's crimes were particularly gruesome and disturbing, and he is considered to be one of the most notorious serial killers in American history.
Psychologists propose that the act of animal cruelty could serve as a 'rehearsal' for future violent acts against humans. But what fuels this journey from animal abuser to human predator? The roots might lie in the dynamics of power and control. Animals, weaker and defenceless, are an easy target for individuals to exert their dominance. In exerting violence on a helpless animal, they experience a twisted sense of power that is often escalated to larger displays of control – in worst scenarios, towards other human beings.
However, the question remains – can we decisively predict a future criminal based on a history of animal abuse? Or are we treading a slippery slope? Does every act of animal cruelty predict a future violent criminal, or are there more layers to this complex puzzle?
As we grapple with these uncomfortable questions, one thing stands clear – animal cruelty is not a trivial issue. It's a societal concern that warrants immediate attention. Perhaps, it's time to reframe our perspective, to view animal cruelty not merely as an isolated act of violence but potentially an early warning sign of more heinous crimes to come.
Could early intervention and counselling for animal abusers be a key to pre-empting future acts of violence? Could empathy for animals be nurtured and taught as a means of fostering a more compassionate society? Is it time to pay heed to the silent cries of the tormented animals, as they may echo the chilling silence of future victims? These are hard-hitting questions that we, as a society, must ponder upon.
Do you agree that there is a strong link between animal abusers and the makings of a criminal?
Yes, it has been psychologically proven in several studies.
No, it may not be true in all cases.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
14072023
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