Animal Abuse, Inmates, Love and Compassion
November 13th, 2009
Statistics show that people who abuse animals are prone to doing the same thing to humans. If young people are doing this then I would think it only gets worse as they get older if they don’t get help.
I’ve found that animals can actually help a lot of people with all kinds of issues. There are prisons that now bring in dogs to be trained by the inmates. The inmates do better, have less depression and are more productive. The dogs are happy because of the attention. Many of the dogs are trained for specific tasks and lead productive lives in the “real” world. Other animals are used in nursing homes and hospice because of the love they comfort they provide to the patient.
Please let us know your thoughts on the issue of animal abuse and how to turn it around.
Another headline:
Good News For Accused Cat Killer Judge Rules Tyler Weinman Can Leave South Florida
MIAMI — The teenager accused of killing cats in his Miami-Dade neighborhood received good news from a judge on Tuesday. Tyler Weinman, 18, remains on house arrest in his Palmetto Bay home. Weinman is charged with killing and mutilating cats in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay.
On Tuesday, the judge ruled that Weinman can travel to Orlando for the Thanksgiving holiday. He also ruled that Weinman can leave his house to go to the gym.
Many people think this is a travesty of justice. If you would like to express your displeasure to Judge John W. Thornton about his decision, you may call him at (305) 548-5110 or send mail to:
The Honorable Judge John W. Thornton, Jr.
Criminal Division, Associate Administration Judge, Section CF 15
Miami Dade Circuit Court
Richard E. Gerstein Justice Bldg.
1351 NW 12th Street
Miami, Florida 33125
***Remember the judge’s name come election time.
We have had so many wonderful comments, ideas, etc. You can view them under “comments”.
As a P.S. to some, please read below.
Here is the article regarding the boy…
A teenager was arrested early Sunday and accused of committing a string of gruesome cat mutilation deaths that had horrified residents of his Miami area community, authorities said.
For the past month, shocked pet owners in the Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay neighborhoods have reported finding more than two dozen cats killed and mutilated. Some of the dead cats were missing fur and appeared to have been cut with a sharp, straight instrument, police said.
Tyler Weinman, 18, was taken into custody early Sunday at a party, police said. Weinman was charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improperly disposing of an animal body and four counts of burglary.
Police put the home of one of Weinman’s parents under surveillance several weeks ago after receiving tips from community members, said Miami-Dade Police Department Maj. Julie Miller.
“This terrible time has drawn us together as a community, further emphasizing the importance of knowing our neighbors, communicating with each other, and always staying vigilant to suspicious activities whenever or wherever they may occur in our village,” said Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn.
Weinman was being questioned by police Sunday. It was not clear if he had an attorney. Messages left at phone numbers for his parents were not immediately returned.
In all, the deaths of more than 30 cats were under investigation, but Miller said some of those cats were likely killed by dogs. She said additional arrests might be forthcoming, but she declined to name other suspects.
“I sincerely hope that with his arrest, the residents will feel relieved and their cats will be safe once again,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “It is expected that the vicious crimes that have plagued these communities will not be repeated.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2009/06/14/2009-06-14_teen_tyler_weinman_arrested_in_.html#ixzz0WqfbmeUZ
The young man accused of the horrible acts of violence against animals is a very dangerous person. Statistics show that people who engage in this type of behavior are sociopaths. There is a “Triad” of behaviors: bed wetting, arson, torturing and killing animals. The judge was wrong, this young man is going to eventually move on to people as his victims.
The animals in prison is great. I strongly believe in the power of animals to heal wounded souls. I personally have experienced it. I lost my husband and two sons within 3 years. If it were not for my dogs, I would not be here, and I certainly would not be sane. The reason for this healing, is that with your dog, you can just be. You do not have to talk or explain……just be. They love you, so they mourn with you, then when it is time, they insist that you take a break from it, and will not stop until you do. That kind of love makes you look at yourself differently. Dogs accept you at face value and build from there. Sadly, that kind of love is in short supply among people sometimes.
Regarding meat……I think that is a personal choice. Certainly, corporate farming makes for poorer quality of food, and in many instances, produces food that makes us sick. I try to find people who are raising livestock (I am in a semi-rural area) and buy from them. The so called “free range” is a misnomer, there is no definition for it, so people can apply it where ever they want. Buyer beware!
Several points I’d like to make.
1. Not sure why someone brought up the “meat is bad” issue, but let’s try to stick to the original topic that was posted. It’s a lot easier to track threads if each thread sticks to the original topic.
2. The question was asked about using animals in prison, etc. I agree that when the program is correctly run, it is an all-around win for everyone; the key here is that every program is independently run, so the guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone may vary from program to program. That would be my primary concern.
3. Regarding the teenager who was accused of mutilating and killing animals, I disagree with the judge’s decision to let the accused go to Orlando for thanksgiving holiday. However, this is not the kid’s sentence; he has not yet been sentenced yet. He is the “accused”, and has not been proven guilty yet. I am sure he probably is guilty, but until he is tried and sentenced, house arrest is probably appropriate. As far as him going to the gym, that I can see a potential benefit in – exercise might prove to become a positive outlet for this kid’s emotional problems. Of course, assuming he is guilty, I hope whne he is sentenced, that he receives a very stiff sentence in prison, as weell as intensive counseling.
Prison-based companion dog programs have proved an absolute, unmitigated success in every jurisdiction that has tried them. Inmates get an opportunity to learn skills that have real value on the outside, institutions rely on access to these programs as incentives for good behavior etc. Service animal groups get “committed” work out of men and women who are willing to do serious, intensive work.
Also, for reference, there are typically very rigorous screening protocols to insure that those working with those animals have not had records of animal abuse.
This is not only a good program is a program that “does” good.
Posted by ian bouchard
I actually think it would be good for animal abusers to learn more about animals and spend time with them to start seeing them as individuals with feelings. Obviously I don’t suggest that happen unsupervised… But maybe rehabilitation isn’t out of the question.
I think inmates and animals are a great match and I don’t know why there aren’t more programs like that. Same with the elderly and animals. We get loads of older animals at the shelter who would be great with the elderly. Let’s set up these programs!
As for the meat issue, I understand where you are coming from. As long as animals can be considered lesser beings, treating them badly will be more acceptable. Let’s face it we kill 4 million companion animals every year in the USA. Most people just turn a blind eye. The denial of cruelty runs very deep in our culture.
Here in New Jersey there is a women’s prison that allows dogs. My friend volunteers to take the dogs on day trips outside the prison so that they can learn social skills beyond prison walls. The prisoners do not know the names of the volunteers nor the exact places where the dogs are taken. It’s a win-win for everyone, especially folks who enjoy dogs, but can’t own one full time.
Old article we wrote on a program in Lansing KS. http://www.pawprintskc.com/0805art1.html We were behind the prison walls interviewing the prisoners.
The problem with the meat industry is that people want to eat meat, and it’s healthy to eat meat. Not necessarily the meat produced by factory farming, of course, but meat is a natural part of the human diet, and we crave it. Most people have no idea what those factories are really like.
The only people trying to SHOW them what the factories are like are radical animal rights groups that like to engage in domestic terrorism, and lie to sway people to their viewpoint. They have absolutely no credibility, because they’re not interested in making changes to the industry that will allow people to still eat meat–they’re only interested in ending it. So naturally, no one is listening to them.
What’s needed is a moderate group to come in and work for improvements in husbandry and raising of humane standards and hygiene standards, step by step. Slowly improving these operations through more explicit guidelines and reasonable compromises will raise industry standards over time, until the lives of the animals raised for slaughter are improved to acceptability. I’m really waiting for something like that to show up. It seems people are prone to fanaticism.
Allowing prisoners to work with dogs is a good idea–it’s proven to have positive outcomes in nearly all circumstances. It is not a cure for what put them behind bars in the first place. They really need intensive counseling–every one of them–not just some sort of punishment. In order to get someone to stop doing something, you have to find out why they’re doing it, and fix that.
As for the kid under house arrest, I think he should have been behind bars, but since that wasn’t his sentence, allowing him to be with his family for the holidays, and to look after his health, is not unreasonable. Isolation would not help him become a model citizen, it would likely make things worse.
I think aside from this case, having represented hundreds of defendants charged with every crime from theft to homicide, and dealing with inmates for over 10 years, animals in prison are an excellent idea. One of the purposes of prison is to rehabilitate. Teaching inmates and giving them the opportunity to train dogs allows them to learn how to be responsible, raise self-esteem, can teach affection and compassion, and give them a sense of purpose. All skills many of them desperately need in order to reduce recidivism.
The boy needs to see a shrink, sounds like pre Jeffery Dahmer!
Thanks for posting this! It hits home at a very pivotal time for me. I am working with a coalition of organizations in Stark County OH, and we will soon be launching a “Kidz and Critterz” program. The program is designed to: 1) Bring awareness to the connections between animal and child abuse, using artistic programming to get youth and families involved, 2) Educate youth and families about responsible pet ownership, and 3) Provide resources and intervention information to the community regarding animal and child abuse. Although it will be a local program, we will be developing a blog/website as the central piece of the program, which will have national relevance. I will keep the group posted as it develops.
To my knowledge there are successful exampels of prisoners engaged in training working dogs. Benificial to both dog and prisoner. I think that prisoners in my country (NL) are alowed to have a small bird or goldfish in their room.
I am personally interested to learn about aniamls in hospice. Animals in nursing homes are known to have a positive impact.
What is the reason you are you setting up this discussion?
Looking at the linked website I would like to add that 2 years ago there was a symposium about the relation between animal abuse and child abuse and the possible role veterinarians could play in early detection. It was organised by Roman House.
He might be safer staying at home as I’m sure there are probably many people very angry at him in that community. Animals have been shown to be very therapeutic in both hospice and prison situations.
Animal abuse is horrible. It is considered a felony in some states and, in my humble opinion, should be considered such everywhere. Be it outright cat cruelty and murder, or dog torture and exploitation in the form of dogfighting, convicted criminals of animal abuse should receive sentences equal to the serious nature of their crimes and the danger they pose to a community, which is great.
Wheither a convicted offender receives treatment for mental illness depends on the nature of their crime. Some offenders in dogfighting cases have gambling or drug problems, and I would hope would receive treatment (say in the form of anonymous meetings) while serving time.
I don’t know the criteria for Puppys-Behind-Bars which is an excellent program for the incarcerated, the dog and the disabled person for whom the pup is trained to help.
I would think any program that helps rescue animals and gives a prisoner the opportunity to learn compassion by learning to care for a cat or dog that is later adopted would greatly change the person and enrich both lives. A punishment that fits the crime, that helps a person have TRUE repentance, conviction in their soul, to understand the cruelty they have done, to believe that there is forgiveness available, and because of that, to heal their brokenness, and to have change of heart, that IS justice and, I’m for that. I would hope that they would go on AFTER their incarceration to be productive, compassionate citizens.
As far as the Florida teen alleged cat serial killer goes.This kid, if guilty, was obviously screaming for help (though he may not know it), and pray to God will get help! If convicted, he needs help for the criminally insane, and should be on some sort of national list when he comes out, and should always have to report to a therapist instead of parole officer. As far as him leaving the house for Thanksgiving goes, as yet, he’s is not convicted and I guess the judge has decided he is not a flight risk, so hopefully he won’t be in a position to endanger any animals either. Our system of justice presumes innocence, which the innocent are, I am sure, thankful for. Ours would not be the same country without that presumption; I don’t want to go into it here, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
On the other question: Therapy dogs are wonderfully enriching experience for patients as I understand. And have been shown to help seniors and variously challenged people maintain their independence. So I’m for programs that do that without exploiting or harming the animals.
All my comments are IMHO.
I think animals used in prisons and nursing homes is a wonderful idea, they certainly help the human side and the animal side is taken care of and given attention and training.
As far as the judge’s ruling, I thought it was wrong. This ‘adult’ should be in prison and not allowed out until his sentence is served, he has gone thru rehab, and is deemed safe for the community.
I remember watching a TV documentary on the Northern Territory in Australia where prison inmates helped injured or orphaned wildlife which had great outcomes for them and the animals
Statistics show that people who abuse animals are prone to doing the same thing to humans. If young people are doing this then I would think it only gets worse as they get older if they don’t get help.
This is very true. Statistics also show that young people who abuse animals are usually victims of child abuse and/or domestic violence themselves.
When young people abuse animals, we must address this from two perspectives. One is to hold the individual accountable for his/her actions. He/she must make amends for the deed in a meaningful way so that he/she learns that harming defenseless creatures is completely unacceptable. Second, we need to explore the individual’s circumstances to determine what kind of experiences he/she has endured him/herself. This is at the core of his/her abuse of others. Addressing the familial and/societal issues that feed the hatred is necessary, as well.
We can vent about what we want to do to people who do such heinous things. Does that really fix anything? If you deplore animal abuse, perhaps you may seek to do things in your community that help children living in abusive conditions. This will help the kids and the animals.
Using animals for therapeutic purposes is a very positive and effective way of helping people heal from physical and psychological hurts. As long as animals are well-trained and have experienced trainers with them, I can see enormous benefit to have them involved in prison programs and many other kinds of programs. It is a win-win, because the animals typically love the human contact as much as the humans enjoy interacting with the animals.
We love our pets are like children. And where there is great love there is great loss. And all this brat is getting is house arrest? That is not justice.
He’s even smiling in his mugshot. Unbelievable…
II find that society accepts a certain amount of cruel behavior from children. I hear stories of boys burning ants with a magnifying glass…or pulling the wings off flies. I find that behavior to be unacceptable and wonder why others don’t. As long as people view animals as lesser than humans, we will have abuse. Look at our beef, pork and chicken industry. These animals live lives of abuse and misery, yet millions of people eat the meat…making them culprits in the abuse.
Inmate dog training and rehabilitation is a fantastic program, creating a win/win situation for dog and inmate. The prisoners have lots of free time to spend training the dogs so the dogs get lots of attention and much needed socialization and training. The prisoners have a living creature to love and respect and a positive way to spend their time. In prisons that allow this program, there are less fights among inmates. I’m sure it’s heart breaking for the inmates to give up the dogs at the end of the training term.
It always breaks my heart when I hear of abuse to any animal. I am glad they caught the kid. House arrest doesn’t seem like enough punishment, hopefully he will also be put into counseling. The scary thing is he will most likely become a serial killer, this has been proven to be their beginnings, especially if he also sets fires.
As far as having animals in prisons and other institutions, it is a great idea…as long as people like this kid are not allowed acces to them.
I love the idea of inmates training dogs. I’ve seen may TV programs on it (especially the one on Oprah, brought tears to my eyes it was so touching). These inmates are giving back to society, and these dogs, some of them shelter dogs, are giving help to a person that needs it (inmates and their future owners) I am VERY UPSET about the ruling of the cat killer. Obviously that judge just doesn’t care. Animal multilation and killing is the first sign of a person that will kill humans and this judge has given him semi-house arrest.
Not knowing the entire situation on the judge’s ruling, it does not appear
that the judge was ignoring the issue. Do we know the length of the house
arrest, or the levels of counseling the boy is receiving? What about
restrictions? It’s just not right to judge in a situation where there’s no
way to know all the facts without getting a transcript of the trial.
As for inmates raising dogs, I can’t help but believe this is a win-win for
everyone. Sometimes people need a sense of purpose. I know dogs thrive on
that same theory.
Just curious, why are you bringing this up? Just to get feedback, or are
you working towards a cause?
Can you highlight the case you refer in the above caption?
I think its great to use animals – IF they are ensured to be properly cared for and adopted out after to good homes. I think animals can rehabilitate the human animal and it gives the animal a “job” and they are happy, too.
In Hospice and Nursing homes – I had first hand experience as a vet tech with our Vet Tech Program at SUNY Delhi – we used to take animals being socialized to be adopted out to the a local nursing home to get experience for us with this and the animals and patients had a mutual beneficial experience. They had a “job” to do and their behavior post visits was visible to kenneal staff at their residence homes and the patients all benefited. My sister was a nurse and she had documented clinical notes for her patients to reflect lowered blood pressure, depression reduction and similar results with resident cats, dogs and during and after the visists.
Animals are an inregral part of our society today and many firm owners take their pets to work with them – its proven to boost moral and increase worker productivity!!
Keep up the great work…
some information from your side is very amazing 4 me i always like to discuss on this issue of aminal punishment and imprisonment if you have any basic information in this regard the said issue plz send it to me after reading it will be able to put my comments because i have not studied such articles in our Local Daily Dawn FARAZ, Pakistan
I may be a bit too passionate about this, but people who harm animals should receive the same punishment that they inflicted to the animal. Full stop.
I think the judge is an idiot who obviously doesn’t think of animals as anything other than ‘possessions’ and therefore doesn’t see the danger in what this teen has done. Wonder when he’ll move on to abusing humans!
I think that the judge’s decision was wrong because this young man should not be allowed to break house arrest to go to a gym. It’s time that animal abuse and cruelty cases be taken seriously and when decisions like this are made it just makes the laws and punishment ineffective.
I don’t think that isolating the child in question will help. I don’t have a problem with him being allowed to travel or go to the gym (which might help alleviate some of his aggression). However, what about rehabilitating him? There is no mention if he is in any kind of therapy or program…
I am an animal lover and feel strongly for all the animals that were done to death. What surprises me is, no one focused on ‘why’ the boy could be perpetrating these crimes. Some of the comments shocked me… “kill him” ” lock him up”….is there no compassion left in dealing with people who are emotionally ill?!!… it is as clear as day that this boy has in all probability been violently abused as a child. Abuse begets abuse.
Wake up guys!!! locking him away ‘ is not a healing method’ He and his entire family need help and councelling.
Exercise by the way, releases ‘good mood’ chemicals in the brain called Serotonin….so the judge knew what he was talking about. Nirmala, India
“I think they choose the inmates pretty carefully; all the documentaries I’ve seen and the articles I’ve read sound like it’s a win/win.”
This judge apparently does not understand the meaning of house arrest. Why should this animal abuser be allowed to prance around a gym?!
Heaven Can Wait Las Vegas has a great program, please take a look…
http://www.fox5vegas.com/video/21538427/index.html
The judge is an idiot. This kid is a serial killer in the making.
Unbelievable!! That judge is a moron. And that kid needs to be put to death.
I think any inmate/dog program should provide for careful screening of inmates and exclude those with violent felony convictions or who have committed crimes like forgery, extortion, fraud. I know of a situation where an inmate convicted of stabbing someone participated in a prison dog prgram and when released, set himself up as a trainer and conned rescues into paying him to train difficult dogs. He took the money and killed the dogs or gave them to dog fighters or the local pound where they were euthanized. Inmates typically aren’t victims. They are in prison for a reason. We need to protect dogs from them.
Laure, I agree. NEADS program has a partnership with some prisons, and the staff does really amazing job selecting inmates. One mistake and they are out. This video shows part of their work.
http://www.thedailytail.com/videos/video-prison-pups-help-inmates-and-disabled/
I think it is a brilliant idea to have inmates training dogs. It is a win-win-win. Nothing can melt a heart (even one belonging to a criminal) like the love of, and for, a dog. Plus I believe that people thrive in situations where they have some value.
That judge is an idiot. I hope he is the one to see this sociopath when he is back in court after doing this to a human. All signs indicate that is the path this kid is on. The judge should have to explain to the victim’s family why he was so lenient on him previously.