The Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI has launched an entirely new database that will keep track of all animal abuse cases and reports in the country. According to the law enforcement agency, the information compiled in this database will be used to identify certain trends related to this crime.
ABC News 4 reported that the new database was created earlier this week. It was launched in response to the growing number of incidents of animal cruelty in the country. One of these is the case of Rosie, a pitbull burned with hydrochloric acid by its handlers.
Through the new database, law enforcers will be able to give cases of animal abuse the same treatment other major crimes receive. Before, this type of crime was categorized under Group B along with other minor misdemeanors. But, under the new system, animal cruelty is now categorized as a Group A crime, similar to other serious offenses like rape and murder.
In addition, the reported crimes related to animal cruelty will be divided into four different subgroups. These include animal sex abuse, intentional cruelty and torture, neglect and organized abuse such as dogfighting and cockfighting operations, according to WDTN.
But aside from the new classification scheme, the specific database for animal abuse will help law enforcers browse through collected data regarding certain cases. This information can then be used to find the trends connecting this crime to those against people, Your Houston News reported.
"This data will bring awareness to the problem and show the real connection between animal abusers and interpersonal crimes to underscore the link between animal abuse and other violent crimes," John Thompson, the executive director of the National Sheriff's Association and one of the key supporters of the new database, said.
"The proof is there," he added. "If you look at the history of serial killers and school shooters, you'll find that they carried out these crimes on animals before moving to people."
