ScapeGoat Sanctuary

While the exact reasons for intentional animal cruelty may vary, nine typologies have been identified by Kellert and Felthous (1985, 1122-1124).

In the cases within the animal cruelty database, we see these typologies over and over:

1.)  to control an animal

2.)  to retaliate against an animal

3.)  to retaliate against another person

4.)  to satisfy a prejudice against a species or breed

5.)  to express anger through an animal

6.)  to enhance one's own aggressiveness

7.)  to shock people for amusement

8.)  to displace hostility from a person to an animal

9.)  to perform non-specific sadism

Reference: Kellert, S.R. and A.R. Felthous. 1985. Childhood cruelty to animals among criminals and non-criminals. Human Relations 38:1113-29.

It is not uncommon for the animal abuser to admit to authorities that they killed an animal to get back at a person they were angry at, or to "punish" the animal for bad behavior.

Everyone needs to stop and ask themselves why they would stand by and let these things happen to an innocent animal.

"From beasts we scorn as soulless

In forest, fields and den

The cry goes up to witness

The soullesness of men."