Award-Winning Actor James Cromwell Warns Against Violence
As Farmer Hoggett in the film Babe, he made his living from abusing animals, but in real life, actor James Cromwell is committed to helping animals. That’s why Cromwell has teamed up with PETA for a new video public service announcement that warns everyone to look out for people who hurt animals before they move on to hurting other humans.
“People who commit violent acts often start out by hurting animals”, explains Cromwell in the video. “If you know of someone who’s abusing or neglecting an animal, don’t ignore it or just assume that someone else will do something. Call the police. And if you have kids or grandkids, please talk to them about the importance of being kind to animals. That conversation might save a life. Let’s stop the cycle of violence before it begins.”
Studies have shown that violent and aggressive criminals are more likely to have abused animals as children than criminals who are considered non-aggressive. Young killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton (the Dunblane massacre), Fred West, Dennis Nilsen, Ian Brady and Raoul Moat all started out by deliberately harming animals.
Because abusers target the powerless, crimes against animals, spouses, children and the elderly often go hand in hand. An abuser may even harm or threaten to harm an animal as a way of emotionally terrorising a family member. Teach children the importance of being kind to animals, and if you spot anyone abusing an animal, report it immediately to your local authorities.
