Animal cruelty facts and stats

The prevalence of animal cruelty remains largely hidden, as only a fraction of cases are reported and there is no comprehensive tracking by state or federal agencies.

Studies and reports indicate that animal abuse is widespread across both rural and urban regions and is commonly linked to other violent crimes, including domestic violence and child abuse.

Intentional cruelty and severe neglect, like hoarding, are prevalent, with abusers often facing underlying mental health issues.

Most reported abuse cases involve dogs, cats, horses, and livestock, with factory farms also being hotspots for maltreatment due to weak legal protections.

Organized cruelty activities like dogfighting and cockfighting are associated with drug trafficking and significant violence, involving law enforcement corruption in various regions.

Efforts are being made to strengthen animal cruelty laws, provide law enforcement training, and ensure felony provisions in all states.

The Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act aims to protect domestic violence victims and their pets.

In 2016, the FBI began including animal cruelty in its national crime database, aiming to gather comprehensive data to better address and prevent such abuse.