It is interesting to think that pets rely on their owners for every basic need. They entrust their caretakers with their lives and this is something that should never be violated. This year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has stepped in to make sure that trust isn't violated and to help combat animal cruelty. |

The abuse of an animal is now heavily punishable and monitored by the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System. The FBI believes that crimes against animals are directly related to crimes against humans. By taking animal cruelty cases seriously, they believe that they can better prevent future crimes against people. Beyond protecting people, the FBI also believes that local law enforcement agencies will be better able to enforce current laws. Tracking the statistics and trends would allow for the proper allocation of resources which will inevitably lead to fewer cases.
Though the new laws make tracking animal mistreatment a little easier, prosecuting the individuals responsible still remains an issue. There are simply not enough resources or manpower to pursue every case. In general, only the most horrific cases are sent to trial. While this does leave some room for improvement, tracking and monitoring those responsible for the cruel treatment of animals is a definite step in the right direction.