April Is Prevention Of Animal Cruelty Month

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Friday, 22 March 2002

The ASPCA Offers Advice and Information to Better Protect Animals

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was founded 136 years ago on April 10, 1866 by Henry Bergh with the mission of alleviating pain, fear and suffering in animals. Ten days later, the New York State legislature passed the first effective animal cruelty law in the United States. In honor of Henry Bergh's mission and the birth of the oldest humane organization in the Western Hemisphere, The ASPCA marks April as Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month.

Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against defenseless animals is considered animal cruelty. Examples of these horrendous acts include stories of neighborhood children torturing cats, dog fighting and cock fighting as sport, or companion animals being denied the basic necessities of care, such as food, water or shelter.

"It is unfortunate that many people who witness, or hear about acts of animal cruelty are unaware that legal action can be taken to help stop the problem," says ASPCA President and CEO Dr. Larry Hawk. "Education and activism are the keys to solving this battle, therefore we are urging all Americans to spend some time this month to educate themselves and others about existing animal cruelty laws in their state and support pending legislation."

Today, 33 states and the District of Columbia have laws that make intentional cruelty a felony charge, while the rest treat animal cruelty as a misdemeanor. Nationally, The ASPCA continuously makes efforts to fight cruelty to animals through awareness, education and advocacy programs. In New York, The ASPCA's Humane Law Enforcement agents enforce The New York State's Animal Felony Cruelty Law.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org