<b>‘Animal abusers are bullies, cowards’</b>

The case in which two 17-year-old boys and a 22-year-old woman are charged with allegedly beating a baby alpaca to death is extremely disturbing. The pain and terror this alpaca undoubtedly endured and the utter disregard for life and indifference to suffering the perpetrators displayed should concern everyone.

Animal abusers are bullies and cowards who take their issues out on “easy victims,” and they rarely limit themselves to hurting only animals. Psychiatrists, criminal profilers and law enforcement officials have repeatedly documented that young people who are cruel to animals often turn that violence against humans.