What is the Humane Society of the United States all about???  I have been to numerous seminars and they all lead back to the origin of the HSUS, which was to save a child!  For years HSUS has preached about their “First Strike” Campaign, which is to get to the child first.  If the children are safe and grow up in a loving home, the animals will be ok.

Please do Your part in protecting children and animals.  Thank you!  Lucille

Taken from “A Common Bond” by the American Humane Society. --

Strong consensus now exists among researchers and policymakers that child neglect and abuse, spousal abuse, elder abuse—and now animal abuse—are all elements of a family violence system.  Perpetrators of violence seldom limit themselves to victimizing only one member of the family.

Animals may be used by perpetrators to coerce children into silence.  The threat of animal abuse to silence child sex abuse victims has been a factor in a number of criminal convictions.  Courts have affirmed child sex abuse convictions noting that the defendant had threatened, as well as actually killed, animals in front of the child victims.

Children who abuse animals are much more likely to have been treated violently within their families.  They also have higher frequencies of sexual victimization and higher rates of sexual offenses against peers.

If you or a member of your family are victims of abuse, or if your family pet is the victim, please contact your local law enforcement, DHR, Harriett House or  Demopolis Animal Control.  We can all help point you or your loved one in the right direction for help.