In Wake of Recent Abuse Case, American Humane Urges New Mexico to Enact Tougher Animal Crulety Laws

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 9 April 2003

In response to the horrific animal abuse case in Espanola, NM, of a puppy that was found in a pit of raw human sewage, American Humane today called on authorities in New Mexico to toughen the state's animal cruelty laws.

American Humane, the only national organization dedicated to both child and animal protection, made this call in light of growing research indicating that people who are violent to animals have the capacity to also be violent to humans -- a correlation commonly referred to as the Link.

As reported in the Albuquerque Journal, a city worker found an eight-week-old shepherd/pitbull mix puppy struggling to climb a wall of a sewage treatment plant. The puppy, named "Luciano" or "Lucky" by the staff at the Northern New Mexico Animal Protection Society, was dumped in the sewage pit after someone cut off his ears. The Society is treating him for dehydration, pneumonia, and a secondary infection from his mutilated wounds. Shelter Manager Denise London says they are offering a $500 reward to for the successful prosecution and conviction of those involved. The case has been forwarded to the Espanola Police Department for investigation.

Unfortunately for law enforcement, animal cruelty can be prosecuted as a felony offense in New Mexico only after the third offense.

"Unless the person responsible for this horrible act has three other convictions for animal cruelty, there is very little law enforcement can do," says Jodi Buckman, American Humane's director of shelter services. "The community should be gravely concerned because animal cruelty is a warning sign, a red flag, that the person responsible could commit crimes directed at humans in the future."

American Humane cites growing research indicating that animal cruelty often occurs in conjunction with, or as a precursor to, other types of violent behavior, such as child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse, gang activity, and even satanic ritual. The evidence is so overwhelming that 41 states and the District of Columbia currently have felony level convictions for serious acts of animal abuse.

Further evidence of the Link recently surfaced when several media outlets reported that David Mitchell, the person allegedly responsible for kidnapping Elizabeth Smart from her home, has a history of committing animal abuse. "Animal abuse must be reported to local authorities. Perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions and treatment delivered. Not only do we owe it to the animals, we owe it to our community," Buckman concluded.

American Humane urges residents of New Mexico to contact their local and state officials and ask that animal cruelty legislation in New Mexico be strengthened to provide felony level convictions for the first offense. Residents of New Mexico and throughout the country can learn about animal cruelty issues in their states and voice their support of important animal welfare legislation by registering on American Humane's website.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org