Pet abuse registry may also protect children [View All]

Pet abuse registry may also protect children

NEW YORK — A New York county is launching a registry for animal abusers which could also help to identify potential violence against women and children.

The registry in Suffolk County, which will go live next week, is modeled after the sex offender registry to protect children.

It is the result of growing awareness that brutality against an animal is an indicator of possible family abuse, according to experts and studies.

"Animal abuse is not only the tip of the iceberg of family violence, but it's often the first warning sign and the one a neighbor is most likely to call in," said Phil Arkow, of the National Link Coalition, which educates people about the link between animal and human abuse.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43095732/ns/health-pet_health/