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Animal-abusers be warned: You’re within reach of the long arm of the lawpaw.
For the first time ever this year, the FBI will collect data on animal cruelty crimes via its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). In doing so, the bureau has classified animal cruelty as a Group A felony, on par with homicide, arson and assault.
Law enforcement agencies will have four subgroups to choose from when reporting animal abuse to the FBI:simple/gross neglect, intentional abuse and torture, organized abuse (like dogfighting and cockfighting) and animal sexual abuse.
There is overwhelming evidence that [animal abuse] is linked to crimes against people, including violent crimes and domestic violence.
Mary Lou Randour
The FBI has defined animal cruelty as “Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly taking an action that…