FBI Taking Steps to Monitor Crimes Against Animals

Animal abusers are under the microscope as the connection to human violence grows stronger.  The FBI is taking steps to monitor crimes against animals, collecting a new database of animal abusers. "They'll be able to track whether these abuses have occurred or have resulted in worse crimes later on," said Fresno County animal abuse prosecutor Lynette Gonzales.  New research shows a strong connection between animal abuse and domestic violence, so this is what the database is meant to prevent: The scary story of a Fresno County man who hurt a dog, then attacked a woman before they could get him in court for animal cruelty.

http://tinyurl.com/jfa8n55

Pets to Get Protection From Domestic Violence

New Hampshire is the latest of a growing number of US states to draft legislation that would give victims of domestic violence the right to ask a judge to award them custody of their pet.  The Bill, which was before the state's lower house on Wednesday, would extend the protection already offered to human victims of domestic violence to household animals.  According to the National Link Coalition, which has carried out extensive research on the mistreatment of animals, pet abuse should not be considered as an isolated incident but as a warning that other members of the household are in danger.

http://tinyurl.com/ljnw42n