Animal Abuse and Neglect

Virginia M. Maxwell is Professor in the Forensic Science Department at the University of New Haven. She teaches Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty and has created a graduate certificate in Animal Cruelty Investigation at the University. Dr. Maxwell is a member and contributing scholar with the Center for a Humane Economy's Scholarly Network on Animal Protection. As part of a Collaboration for Investigation of Animal Maltreatment with the University of Connecticut School of Law, she has developed Animal Cruelty Investigation trainings for animal control officers and other first responders.

• Preface1 Background and HistoryDefining an AnimalSpeciesismLegal Status of AnimalsState versus Federal LawsAg-Gag LawsAnimal SentienceThe Human-Animal BondThe Link Between Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence and Other Criminal BehaviorWhy People Abuse AnimalsGeneral Types of Animal CrueltyThe Lockwood Risk Factors and Their Application in Understanding Animal CrueltySummaryFurther Reading2 Problems, Controversies, and SolutionsAnimal NeglectAnimal AbandonmentAnimal HoardingPuppy MillsPhysical Abuse of AnimalsEmotional Abuse of AnimalsAnimals as CompanionsAnimals in SportAnimals Raised for FoodAnimals Used for EntertainmentAnimals in Research and Product TestingWildlife Crime: Trafficking and PoachingInvestigating Animal Abuse and NeglectFurther Reading3 PerspectivesCurrent Issues in Animal Law, Jessica RubinVeterinary Forensics: Science in Service of Animal Justice, Martha Smith-BlackmoreEquine Cruelty, Margaret M. BrosnahanUnderstanding Animal Hoarding: A Field Perspective, Daniel EttingerDNA in Animal Forensics, David San PietroFrom Production to Peace: The Journey of Farmed Animals to Sanctuary, JP Farm Animal SanctuaryEthics, Exploitation, and Entertainment: The Enigma of Legal Animal Activities, Christina Failla4 ProfilesOrganizationsAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsAnimal Legal Defense FundAnimal Welfare InstituteBattersea Dogs & Cats HomeFarm SanctuaryGrey2K USA WorldwideGuardians of RescueHumane World for AnimalsNational Institutes of Health The National LINK CoalitionPeople for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsRoyal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsState and Local Agencies TUSK TrustUnited Nations Environment Programme US Department of AgricultureUS Department of JusticeUS Fish and Wildlife ServiceWorld Wildlife FundIndividualsPhil ArkowGene Baur (1962– )Marc Bekoff (1945– )Jeremy Bentham (1748–1832)Henry Bergh (1819–1888)Cecil the LionPuppy DoeJane Goodall (1934–2025)Temple Grandin (1947– )William Hogarth (1697–1764)Randall LockwoodMelinda D. MerckJeffrey Moussaieff Masson (1941– )Wayne Pacelle (1965– )Jessica Rubin (1968– )Peter Singer (1946– )Martha Smith-BlackmoreMary Tealby (1801–1865)Bill Travers (1922–1994) and Virginia McKenna (1931– )Michael Vick (1980– )Mary Ellen Wilson (1864–1956)5 Documents and DataDocumentsWilliam Hogarth, The Four Stages of Cruelty (1751)Incorporating Act Establishing the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (1866)Comprehensive Anti-Cruelty Enforcement Act of New York (1867)Little Mary Ellen’s Legacy (1874)UK Cruelty to Animals Act (1876)European Union Treaty of Lisbon, Article 13 (2009)State v. Nix, Oregon Supreme Court (2014)DataFBI National Incident-Based Reporting System Data (2023)Shelter Animals Count Statistics (2021–2023)Federal Animal Welfare Laws (1900–2023)Animal Legal Defense Fund State Rankings (2024)Data Regarding the Link Between Animal Cruelty and Family ViolenceAnimals in SportAnimals in Agriculture6 ResourcesBooksJournalsVideosWebsitesArticles and Other Resources7 ChronologyGlossaryIndex