Rep. Fishbein Works to Prevent Animal Cruelty

With April being both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, State Rep. Craig Fishbein and his colleagues continue to draw attention to the disturbing links between child abuse and cruelty to animals.

On a bright spring morning outside the Connecticut Humane Society, State Representative Craig Fishbein joined Lt. Gov Bysiewicz, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Dorantes, Department of Agriculture Commissioner Hurlburt, advocates, and volunteers for a press conference to raise awareness of the correlation between animal cruelty, child maltreatment, and other forms of interpersonal violence. The event also helped shine a spotlight on the coordinated agency responses for animal protection, and Connecticut’s cross-reporting requirements between DoAG and DCF.

This session, Rep. Fishbein has been working diligently with Rep. Dorinda Borer on several important animal cruelty bills, including  6714 An Act Concerning Cruelty to Animals that will provide clear definitions of, and prohibitions against, bestiality, allows law enforcement officers to seize an animal if they have a reasonable suspicion an animal is being abused, treated cruelly or sexually assaulted, imposes a duty on veterinarians to contact law enforcement or animal control if they believe an animal has been used for fighting, and will provide a 5-year possession ban to those convicted of harming animals.

A review of research studies shows:

• Animals were harmed in 88% of homes where a child was physically abused.
• 75% of female survivors of domestic violence report their pets were threatened or intentionally harmed by their partner.
• Children exposed to domestic violence are three times more likely to be cruel to animals
• 45% of caseworkers working with the elderly encountered animal abuse or neglect co-occurring with elder abuse.

Members of the public can make a reports of animal cruelty directly to the local Animal Control Department in the town where the concerns have been noted or by calling (860) 713-2506, as well as via e-mail at AGR.AnimalControl@ct.gov. Those wishing to make a report can remain anonymous.

A reasonable suspicion of child maltreatment can be made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Careline by dialing 1-800-842-2288. The Careline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers to the Careline can remain anonymous.

The Connecticut Humane Society located at 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT.