Statement of Congressman Dennis Kucinich On The Juvenile Crime Control And Delinquency Prevention Act Bill includes Kucinich language on animal cruelty

Today the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Workforce Committee approved the bipartisan Juvenile Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2001. Approved by a vote of 41-2 in Committee, the bill includes language offered by Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland) for funding programs designed to prevent animal cruelty by juveniles and to counsel juveniles who commit acts of cruelty toward animals. Following is Congressman Kucinich’s opening statement for the Committee mark up.

Washington, Aug 1 -

“I would like to thank Chairman Boehner and Ranking Member Miller for including in this bill language I offered on funding for programs designed to prevent animal cruelty by juveniles and to counsel juveniles who committed acts of cruelty against animals. My intention is that these programs be eligible for funding through the Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Block Grant Program.

Research studies confirm a strong correlation between animal abuse and violence against humans. Studies in criminology and psychology show that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal abuse; a correlation recognized for years by the FBI in profiling serial killers. In addition, the American Psychiatric Association lists animal cruelty by children as a major criterion for a diagnosis of conduct disorder. The data also shows that animal cruelty often occurs in conjunction with family violence and can be linked to some of the most horrific serial killers in our history.

For instance, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and the “Boston Strangler” Albert DeSalvo, began their murderous careers by abusing animals. Kip Kinkle, the 15-year-old who killed his parents and continued on a shooting spree that left 2 students dead and more than 20 wounded, bragged to his friends about torturing animals, killing his own cat and blowing up cows.

There are unfortunately many more examples. Through the cross-reporting of animal and child abuse by investigators, intervention in cases of animal abuse, and humane education that instills values of empathy, respect and compassion for both animals and people, we will be able to identify the origins of violence and prevent its escalation.

I thank the Committee for recognizing that in addition to being a serious crime in itself, animal cruelty is also an indicator of violence occurring in the home and future violent behavior toward humans. Recognizing this link may be our first defense in breaking the cycle of violence in our communities.”