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Source: ONE News -
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The SPCA says with a strong link between animal cruelty and other abuse, society needs to work hard to change attitudes.
In the latest case before the courts a Christchurch couple were convicted of shocking neglect of 14 cats in their care.
SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger told ONE's Breakfast show that cases of neglect are reasonably rare and are often "well meaning people who take on too many animals".
But she said unfortunately active cruelty against animals is far too common, with the SPCA seeing examples on a weekly basis.
The culprits are usually boys, sometimes as young as six or seven but often of intermediate age or in their early teens.
"It's very rare to find girls abusing animals" said Kippenberger.
Just last week, a group of teenagers, all boys, were seen kicking and punching a two-month-old labrador puppy in Auckland. They then threw him in the air through a basketball hoop.
The puppy suffered extremely bad bruising and was barely able to stand but did not sustain any broken bones and is recovering well.
The four boys were apprehended by police and referred to Youth Aid.
Kippenberger said the seriousness of animal abuse is often under-rated and the problem is often overlooked by parents as 'boys being boys'.
"If you are making the distinction that 'it's just an animal' then you're in trouble, we've got to bring children up to understand that animals feel pain, just like we do."
Violence against animals is not an isolated issue and Kippenberger said it's linked with human violence and often co-occurs.
"They're more likely to be bullying at school& getting into their siblings and certainly we know they are more likely be abusive adults."
The SPCA's One of the Family programme is helping to address the issue.
The four-year-old campaign is backed by former All Black Norm Hewitt and targets intermediate-aged boys with the message it's "not cool to be cruel."
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