Animal Rights/Vegan Activists' Strategies Articles

Animal Cruelty LINKS to Mass Shootings

From National Link Coalition: The National Resource Center on The LINK between Animal Abuse and Human Violence
June 2022

The content of our current newsletter [The LINK-Letter] explains our call for greater recognition by law enforcement and therapists of animal abuse’s warning signs for potential mass violence.

The shooters in the horrific tragedies in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, N.Y. – like so many others – had histories of animal cruelty, and the June LINK-Letter includes our call for greater recognition by law enforcement and therapists of animal abuse’s warning signs for potential mass violence. Please also read "Animal Cruelty LINKS to Mass Shootings" (PDF).

 There’s other news as well: Maine now prohibits domestic violence abusers who also harmed animals from owning firearms. Louisiana joins the growing list of states allowing veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse. And there are exciting developments with our Link counterparts in Canada and France.

MASS MURDER and The Link
- Buffalo and Uvalde mass shooters reported to have also abused animals
- A statement and call to action from the National Link Coalition

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and The Link
- Expanded Maine Pet Protection Orders can ban abusers from having weapons
- Purina supports pet-friendly shelters with special packaging

VETERINARY MEDICINE and The Link
- Louisiana permits practitioners and technicians to report suspected animal abuse
- Merck Manual student story features the domestic violence Link
- Ohio VMA animal abuse reporting guide updated with communication strategies
- Taiwan study describes veterinarians’ responses to suspected abuse

The Link in THE LITERATURE
- “Medico-legal borderlands” affect officers’ health and safety
- Poster presentations invited for APA convention

THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS and The Link
- Latham Foundation announces grant opportunities for 2022

CRIMINAL JUSTICE and The Link
- New French law addresses animal abuse, children, and veterinary reporting of suspected abuse

News from LINK COALITIONS
- French Link coalition launches website
- Canadian Link roundtable expands partnerships and collaborations

Raising LINK AWARENESS
- We remember Link pioneer Judy Johns (1947-2022)
- New Link group in Hawai’i raising awareness
- Dutch “Animal Cops” featured on French TV

LINK LEGISLATION
We’re watching an amazing 143 bills that have already been introduced in state legislatures and Congress – 12 of which have already been signed into law.

THE LINK IN THE NEWS…
- Felon charged with rape, assault, attempted murder, and killing woman’s dog
- Las Vegas felon charged with using stun gun on cat and threatening neighbor who tried to stop him
- Brothers charged with killing father who killed dog that ate chicken eggs
- Suspected bomb maker charged with felony animal cruelty
- Parents and grandparents charged with felony murder and child abuse over rottweiler attack

… plus 30 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES where you can learn more about how animal abuse is a sentinel indicator and predictor of human violence.

Please share the issue with your colleagues and send your news and names of any associates who would also like to receive The LINK-Letter to [email protected]. Thanks for helping us to make a difference in protecting vulnerable people, animals and communities.

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