Animal Cruelty: The Key to Serial Minds
Serial minds and animal cruelty_ a link?
Title: Animal Cruelty: The Key to Serial Minds
Author: C. Bailey-Lloyd/LadyCamelot
Article:
What makes a common person a Serial Killer? According to
research, serial killers exhibit what is known as the 'Triad of
Warning Signs in Childhood.'1
Indicators include:
* Firestarting, invariably just for the thrill of destroying
things * Cruelty to Animals: Most children can be cruel to
animals, such as pulling the legs off of spiders, but future
serial killers often kill larger animals, like dogs and cats,
and frequently for their solitary enjoyment rather than to
impress peers. * Bedwetting beyond the age when children
normally grow out of such behavior.
One of society's more notorious serial killers, Jeffrey Dahmer
explained that wanted to remove 'free will' from his victims so
that they would stay with him. In his past, he suffered from
abandonment and was afraid of loss and any social upheaval.
Another one of his extremely displaced characteristics was that
he suffered from low self-esteem. His parents divorced during
his teens, and when he did go to college, he performed badly.
Upon examination of three psychologists, Dahmer was found to be
manipulative, resistant and evasive.2 Further studies of Dahmer
revealed that he could not tolerate rejection or abandonment;
and that control was the number one factor for him. One clue to
his unusually sick behavior was that even in his relationships,
Dahmer did not gratify his sexual partners - instead, Dahmer
always expected to be pleased by them.
According to Pat Brown's Book, Killing for Sport: Inside the Minds of Serial
Killers '...serial killers are of average
intelligence....most have low level jobs and make poor
decisions. ' And, '...it is exactly these poor decisions that
get them in trouble on their jobs, in their relationships, and
in their crimes.'
Based on studies, serial killers usually choose victims that
they can easily overpower, such as persons having short height
and low weight. Additionally, 'serial killing is not about
sex at all, but about power and control and revenge on
society.' 2
Ted Bundy, who murdered at least 36 women, was known for his
expressed desire to acquire things. From theft, to the
importance of social standing, he pined to break free from the
working class from which he was born. Additionally, he 'needed'
to possess expensive items as well. Per research, Ted came from
a single-parent home, was a severe sexual deviate; and women
threatened him. He felt the need to not only control them, but
to incapacitate them as well. As a teenager, Ted Bundy became
known for his violent temper.
But what do serial killers like Dahmer, Bundy and others like
them have in common?
'Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Andrew Cunanan, David 'Son of
Sam' Berkowitz, and Albert 'Boston Strangler' DeSalvo were ALL
cruel to animals before they started hurting people.'6
Subsequently, killer teenagers Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold
(Columbine HS), and Kip Kinkel were also known for their past
history of animal cruelty. In the study from of 'The Care of
pets within child abusing families,' presented by DeViney &
Lockwood, 88 percent of the homes were animal abuse had
occurred, children were also abused.
In conclusion, I summise this important literature from the San
Francisco Chronicle commentary by Margo DeMello:
"...every time we hear of a young person abusing an animal,
it is explained away by family and often authorities as a
'youthful indiscrection'...What the authorities and
parents of these young men fail to realize is that their
behavior may signal that something is wrong with these men,
which could very easily escalate into something much worse. The
evidence is not just anecdotal; numerous studies, including the
1998 work of Randall Lockwood and Frank R. Ascione ("Cruelty to
Animals and Interpersonal Violence," Purdue University Press),
have shown that children who engage in animal cruelty are more
likely to commit more violent acts as adults. There is also a
strong link between abuse of animals and domestic violence, with
animal abusers much more likely to batter their wives or
girlfriends as well...
Youthful violence toward animals is a very serious issue, and it
needs to be taken seriously by not only animal advocates like
myself, but by those who are concerned about violence in our
society." - Margo DeMello, Ph.D.,
© 2005 Animal Cruelty: The Key to Serial Minds by C.
Bailey-Lloyd aka. Lady Camelot Public Relations Director & Staff
Writer www.HolisticJunction.com www.MediaPositiveRadio.com
References
1. Wikipedia - Defining Serial Murders
2. Court TV's Crime Library -
Criminal Minds and Methods (Serial Killer Myths Exposed) 3.
Court TV's Crime Library -
Jeffrey Dahmer 4. Illinois State Department of English -
Bundy's
Childhood(www.english.ilstu.edu/students/smdare/bundy/tedschildho
od.html) 5. ASPCA: Fight Animal Cruelty: Kids and
Cruelty 6. San Francisco
Chronicle - Cruelty to Animals: A Warning of Possible Violence
to Come (Margo DeMello, Ph.D.)
About the author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd aka. Lady Camelot Public Relations Director &
Staff Writer www.HolisticJunction.com www.MediaPositiveRadio.com
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