FBI changes animal cruelty data collection practices

Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 launched the FBI’s reclassification of animal cruelty as a Group A offense in NIBRS, a national database that tracks crimes for trend analysis. The decision was made in response to empirical evidence of a link between animal abuse and interpersonal crimes. less Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 launched the FBI’s reclassification of animal cruelty as a Group A offense in NIBRS, a national database that tracks crimes for trend analysis. The decision was made in response to ... more Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close FBI changes animal cruelty data collection practices 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

As of Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) decision to begin collecting data on cases of animal cruelty as a Group A offense in the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) went into effect.

Previously, animal cruelty was classified as a Group B offense, which lumped animal-related crimes into a catch-all category and did not provide adequate data on animal abuse trends.

Dr. Mary Lou Randour, senior advisor for animal cruelty programs and training at the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI,) noticed the problem about 10 years ago while making a presentation about animal cruelty.

“The FBI didn’t collect data about animal cruelty in a way to retrieve it,” Randour said. “So, we began an initiative to get the FBI to start collecting and making this data available. At some point the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) became an ally which was very beneficial to our cause.”

Data presented to the FBI showed an undeniable link between animal cruelty and violent crimes against humans, which ultimately convinced them to proceed with the reclassification.

John Thompson, executive director of the NSA and founder of the National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse (NLECAA,) was another major player in pushing for the reclassification.

Thompson explained there has been some misinformation concerning the implication of the decision in certain media outlets. This misinformation led some to believe that animal abuse was a crime that now warrants court sentencing on par with other offenses in the Group A category such as arson, homicide and kidnapping.

However, the action does not affect the severity of legal repercussions for offenders since animal abuse laws are determined state-by-state.

Nevertheless, this reclassification of animal cruelty as a Group A offense will provide data, which according to Thompson, is important not only in addressing the issue of violence against an animal but also violence against people.

“This data will bring awareness to the problem and show the real connection between animal abusers and interpersonal crimes to underscore the link between animal abuse and other violent crimes,” Thompson said. “The proof is there. If you look at the history of serial killers and school shooters, you’ll find that they carried out these crimes on animals before moving to people.

“This benefits animal rights by increasing awareness. Now, there will be facts on abuse rather than guessing, which will bring change in the way lawmakers, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement look at animal abuse.”

Although it will take years of collection and analysis, Thompson foresees this action yielding a similar effect to the way society’s and lawmakers’ perception of domestic violence has changed. But first, the next step is to spread awareness to local law enforcement, animal control agencies and the public about how animal cruelty is defined and the importance of reporting all instances of animal cruelty.

“The data will be classified as a ‘Crime Against Society’ with reporting in Criminal Activity and Gang Information, and will expand to include four data values about the type of abuse,” Thompson said. “The four types of abuse will be: ‘Simple or Gross Neglect’ which includes failure to provide food, water, shelter, veterinary care, or intentionally or knowingly withholding food or water; ‘Intentional Abuse and Torture’; ‘Organized Abuse’ like dog fighting and cock-fighting; and ‘Animal Sexual Abuse,’ or bestiality.

“The NSA, NLECAA along with the National Coalition on Animal Abuse have been working with other organizations to educate law enforcement. Additionally, NSA has an animal abuse reporting APP where citizens can report violations: www.peoplewithproof.com.”

Cendra Parks, licensed veterinary technician practice manager at the Animal Hospital of Humble, is delighted by the FBI’s decision and is doing her part to spread awareness at the local level. She hopes that as word spreads about the reclassification, potential animal abusers will reconsider their treatment of animals.

“I hope this will lead to some sort of accountability and keep people from being repeat offenders,” Parks said. “Animal abuse is not just beating or torturing, but also failing to provide basic needs. The more that people realize this; hopefully the less this abuse and neglect will occur. I’m not sure how easy implementation will be, but at least, it’s a step forward.”

For more information about the reclassification of animal cruelty and the link between animal abuse and interpersonal crimes, visit https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr-program-quarterly/ucr-quarterly-january-2015 and http://nationallinkcoalition.org.