NATCHITOCHES – Seventy percent of individuals who abuse animals are likely to move toward violence towards people, said Dr. Herman Soong, assistant professor of adult psychiatry and forensic neuropsychiatry at Tulane University. Soong was a featured speaker at a Northwestern State University forum that tied the predictability of violent behavior to individuals who are abusive to animals. Recognizing animal abuse can stop perpetrators before they become violent towards people, he said.
“Cruelty Connection: Animal Abuse and Human Violence” was presented Oct. 14 as part of Paws for a Cause Week, a partnership between Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA) and NSU’s Veterinary Technology program to commemorate Vet Tech Week. Paws for a Cause is designed to promote “compassion, education and community action to support animal welfare in Natchitoches and beyond,” organizers said. FAUNA is a Natchitoches-based animal advocacy and rescue group that has worked with NSU’s Vet Tech program for about 15 years.
Soong discussed the different categories of animal abusers and cited research in which animal cruelty is connected to conduct disorders that lead to domestic abuse, arson, rape, murder and other violent crimes. A history of animal cruelty during childhood is significantly associated with antisocial personality traits and disorders and substance abuse.
“These are not minor personality flaws. It’s a deep mental disturbance,” he said. “The psychological profile of abusers shows that they compensate for deficits in themselves by being cruel to animals. A conduct disorder where animal cruelty is a diagnostic criteria is a pattern of behavior where the basic rights of others are violated or societal norms are not followed.”
Intervention is important, Soong said.
“If you see someone abusing animals, you need to step in,” Soong said. “Animals cannot testify. We are their voices. Healthy animals means a healthy community.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore and Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington were also featured speakers.
Moore said that a 12-year study of juvenile offenders in his parish indicates that a lack of early childhood education is a significant factor in the predictability of domestic violence, murder cases and animal abuse. Of 15,000 cases he sees per year, one third are domestic violence, one third are gun-related crimes and one third other crimes. Deeper studies, including those involving youth gang-related crimes, revealed that the overwhelming number of domestic abuse and murder cases also involved animal abuse.
“We came up with a committee that studied every shooting and tried to diagnose what happened. We look now each week at domestic violence cases that come through the office, and we triage that. We have a body of people on this committee that mainly consists of law enforcement and, all of a sudden, we started saying, ‘We really should have someone from the vet school and someone from child welfare and the veterinary society and animal control because in every case we’re seeing there was some type of animal abuse in the police report.”
Harrington said about 68 percent of individuals charged or convicted with animal cruelty in Natchitoches Parish have also been charged with a crime against a person. FAUNA is an important resource in providing intelligence to law enforcement, finding shelter for animals taken from crime scenes and engaging individuals in animal care as part of their community service. Animal cruelty cases are vigorously prosecuted, he said.
“Animal abuse comes in all sizes. There are different levels of animal cruelty, animal neglect, animal violence. There are felony levels and misdemeanor levels. It’s important, so we’ve prosecuted all different types of cases,” Harrington said. “In some of the minor cases, we identified certain defendants that may benefit from programming and education. Through my office, we have animal cruelty prevention classes. I’d rather see somebody with a minor charge get help and stop the cycle.”
“Understanding the connection between animal cruelty and violent behavior can help create safer communities, Moore said.
To conclude the forum, FAUNA presented the NSU Foundation with a contribution to support the FAUNA Vet Tech Scholarship Fund.
FAUNA is currently building a new facility on a six-acre site on the Hwy. 1 Bypass, made possible in part by a donation from the Friedman family of Natchitoches. Organizers envision a facility that will not only house animals but also serve as a resource for the community with walking trails, a meeting room and center to promote responsible animal ownership. It is expected to open next year.
Paws for a Cause events will continue through Friday. The 12th annual Farm to Table Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 at Mariner’s Restaurant. This popular FAUNA fund raiser will feature a specially curated multi-course menu with wine pairings, highlighting the best of local flavors and seasonal ingredients. Seating is limited. Reservations are available at https://www.npfauna.org/event/farm-to-table/.
NSU Vet Tech students will present “Paw-traits: Snap. Smile. Support” from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 on the steps leading to the Columns on Normal Hill. Individuals can bring their pets and get a free photo available for download after the event.
Vet Tech will host a Bathe-A-Dog Day from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in Bienvenu Hall Room 106 in which pets can get spa-style treatments that includes a bath, nail trimming, ear cleaning and anal gland expression. Pricing is based on dog’s weight starting at $13. Proceeds support the Vet Tech Club and their ongoing mission to provide animal care and learning opportunities for students.
Paws for a Cause Week is supported by NSU’s School of STEM and Office of Economic Development and University Advancement. For more information on Paws for a Cause Week, including event details and registration, contact FAUNA at npfauna@gmail.com. Information on NSU’s Veterinary Technology is available at https://www.nsula.edu/program/veterinary-technology/. Information on FAUNA is available at www.npFAUNA.org.
Pictured: Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals presented a $22,500 donation to the NSU Foundation to support the FAUNA Vet Tech Endowed Scholarship. The presentation concluded a public lecture at NSU that highlighted the connection between animal cruelty and violent crimes. From left are Forensic Neuropsychiatrist Dr. Herman Soong, Louie Bernard, master of ceremonies; East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Mooe III; Dr. Rachel Cezar-Martinez, director of Veterinary Technology; Dr. Chris Lyles, director of the School of STEM; Dr. Francene Lemoine, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; FAUNA volunteers/donors Juanita Murphy and Pearl “Shirley” Walker, NSU President James Genovese and Natchitoches District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington.