Animal Cruelty Statistics
A study by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) concludes that 20% of all intentional animal abuse crimes are committed by teens and 95% of those teens are boys.
Serial killers almost always started their killing sprees on animals before moving on to people. Studies of violent offenders in prison show that nearly 75% of them had earlier records of animal cruelty. (source)
In 85% of homes where a woman or child is being abused there is also an animal who suffers abuse. 60% of women who have been abused have had a pet violently killed. People who abused pets as children are much more likely to commit violent crimes against people. (source)
Children who abuse animals are often abused and neglected themselves. In one study 25% of domestic violence victims did not try to get help because they feared for the safety of their pets. (source)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation does not compile statistics on animal cruelty cases. There are several organizations that are working to get the FBI to compile and maintain statistics on crimes of animal cruelty.