States Look at Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws.

If a disturbed child tortures the family puppy--how large is the step to assaulting human beings?

Studies have found that cruelty to animals can be one of the earliest and most significant signs of a person's potential to harm others. And states are trying to prevent such violence quickly with early intervention.

A recent Nevada law requires the juvenile court to order counseling or other psycho logical treatment for a child who commits an offense involving cruelty to an animal. Parents or guardians are required to pay for it.

And at least 13 other states--California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia--allow courts to order psychiatric counseling or anger management training for both children and adult offenders.

Animal abuse can also be a sign of child abuse. In an interesting twist, some animal cruelty agencies also protect children. A District of Columbia law authorizes the Washington Humane Society to include protection of children from cruelty and abuse. Officers or agents of the Ohio Humane Society may remove a child if he or she is in "cruel surroundings." California and Colorado require animal control officers and veterinarians to report suspected or known instances of child abuse.

Minnesota and West Virginia are trying to get to the source by requiring veterinarians to report suspected or known cases of animal abuse. Idaho does not require reporting, but provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for veterinarians who report cruelty.

Arkansas is trying to increase its penalties for animal abuse. A new proposal, House Bill 1180, provides for a Class D felony, a first-degree animal cruelty charge, for anyone causing "pain, serious injury or death to any domesticated animal." That could mean fines up to $10,000 and jail sentences up to six years for adult offenders. Under current law, the crime is a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to a year in jail.

Opposition to the Arkansas bill has come from the Farm Bureau, contending that the language is too vague and does not exempt agricultural practices. Law enforcement officials, however, say the law would let them further investigate and prosecute flagrant acts of animal cruelty. HB 1180 also gives judges authority to require psychological or psychiatric evaluation and treatment for animal abusers.

All states have anticruelty laws, but most generally treat animals as property. At least 27 states, however, make cruelty to animals a felony under certain circumstances. The other 23 states have misdemeanor penalties for secondary forms of abuse.