LANSING – State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) today announced that she has distributed a public service announcement (PSA) to local police departments discussing the link between animal cruelty, domestic violence and child abuse. The PSA also encourages officers to report any animal cruelty to Ingham County Animal Control for investigation.
"Animal cruelty is directly linked to child abuse and domestic violence," Byrum said. "Many abusers begin their cycle of abuse by harming their pet. I want our law enforcement officers to know the signs of animal abuse, and how and where to report it."
A survey of the largest shelters for battered women in the United States found that 85 percent of the women and 63 percent of the children entering the shelters discussed incidents of pet abuse in the family, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Byrum hosted a town hall meeting on the subject in May. Jamie McAloon-Lampman, director of the Ingham County Animal Control, was the keynote speaker.
"Pets are part of the family," Byrum said. "Nearly two-thirds of American families with school-age children have at least one pet at home. This PSA is designed to educate our law enforcement officers about the prevalence of animal abuse in our community and to encourage them to report any animal cruelty to Ingham County Animal Control for investigation."
To report cases of animal abuse or cruelty, call the Ingham County Animal Control office at (517) 676-8370. You are not required to leave your name.
For more information, contact Byrum's office at (517) 373-0587, by e-mail at barbbyrum@house.mi.gov, or call the Ingham County Animal Control Office at (517) 676-8370.