Animal cruelty is not a minor crime

Our pets are supposed to be cuddled, not clobbered.

Yet we have seen too many cases of horrible animal abuse and cruelty in the suburbs in recent years.

One of the worst occurred in 2003. A miniature dachshund was kicked "like a football," according to a DuPage County prosecutor, by a Woodridge man who was angry with the dog. The dog died and his killer was sentenced to 21 months in prison. The same man had also previously spent time in jail for hurling another puppy against a wall.

This week, an Aurora man was charged with animal cruelty for dragging a pit bull on a leash attached to the back of a moving car, according to police.

Police said the man told them he was "disciplining the dog for misbehaving." In this case, though, the dog lived and will recover from its injuries.

Sometimes animals are injured or killed because of momentary loss of control by their owners. That's not to excuse animal cruelty, which Illinois is taking seriously in investigating and prosecuting this crime.

But there is also a disturbing aspect of animal abuse that necessitates it not be overlooked as just some unfortunate thing that happened to an animal.

Studies have shown a link between animal cruelty and violence against humans.

As was reported in a seminar on animal abuse held in Hanover Township earlier this year, Chicago police did a three-year study of 300 criminals who have abused animals. Of those, 70 percent have also faced battery charges against people.

Congress is preparing to highlight ties between animal cruelty and societal violence. A resolution in support of September 2008 as National Link Awareness Month notes that more than 71 percent of battered women reported that their abusers harmed, killed or threatened their pets.

In supporting congressional action to improve federal collection of data on animal cruelty, the Humane Society of the United States notes that adults who abuse animals are more likely to commit violent crime - including mass murder. Repeated acts of animal cruelty are common among serial killers, according to FBI profiles.

It's hard to imagine someone being so cruel to a companion that brings so much joy into our lives; that would indeed save our lives if threatened by fire or an intruder.

Our pets are here to love and be loyal, and they should get love and devotion in return.

When their masters treat them the same way they would an annoying bug on their flesh, they should have to face the wrath of the law. Not only because a compassionate society should always look unkindly on animal abuse. But also because animal abuse poses a genuine threat to that society.