HR0364LRB100 12557 MST 25742 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology

3have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have

4childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated

5cruelty towards companion animals; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Additionally, mental health professionals and top

7law enforcement officials consider the blatant disregard for

8life and suffering evidence by all forms of cruelty to 
9companion
animals to be an unquestionable warning sign of 
10future violent
behavior; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Intentional cruelty toward companion animals is 
12of
particular concern as it is a sign of psychological distress 
13and
often indicates an individual may be predisposed to 
14committing
acts of violence towards humans; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, The American Psychiatric Association identifies

16cruelty to companion animals as one of the diagnostic criteria

17for conduct disorders; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Types of companion animal abuse include passive

19and active cruelty; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Passive cruelty is typified by cases of neglect

 
 
HR0364- 2 -LRB100 12557 MST 25742 r

1such as starvation, lack of shelter, and failure to seek

2veterinary care; and
  
 
3    WHEREAS, Active cruelty is inflicted with
deliberate 
4intent to harm an animal creating immediate pain and
suffering; 
5and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, 70% of companion animals that are abused are dogs,

7and 20% are cats; therefore, be it
  
 
8    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
9HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
10urge the citizens of Illinois to educate themselves on the 
11signs and types of companion animal cruelty so that they can 
12report it when they see it; and be it further
  
 
13    RESOLVED, That we urge all owners of companion animals

14treat them with the utmost respect.