Psychological profile of the animal abuser in 7 traits

animal abuse It is a phenomenon that exists with some frequency in our society, because you only have to take a look through the social networks to realize that there are many individuals who hurt, torture and inflict pain on the defenseless animals.

And although many people are outraged by this type of behavior, this cruelty to animals is not always condemned by our society. You just have to see the passion that bullfights arouse or some cultural phenomena such as the "bull bull”.

In these last cases, the phenomena of group influence are decisive, but in others, especially those in which individuals act alone, there are a number of traits that predominate in the personality of the abuser animals. In this article we will talk about this topic and delve into the psychological characteristics of these types of abusers.

• Related article: “The 9 types of abuse and their characteristics”

Motivations to carry out animal abuse

Unfortunately, cases of animal abuse continue to be repeated in the world

, and it is not strange either, because human beings can carry out atrocious and savage behaviors. But... what could be going through the minds of these people to make them capable of behaving so cruelly against dogs, cats and other species of animals?

This is what Alan Felthous, a psychiatrist who led an investigation to determine what are the reasons that lead an individual to become an animal abuser, wondered. According to the data from his study, the main motivations are:

• Project frustration onto animals and use them as a scapegoat
• Show power and authority
• teach submission
• instill fear
• Hurt for fun
• Feel pleasure when seeing another suffer
• As part of the show and bets: bulls, dog fights. traditional holidays

Types of animal abuse

Some studies show that in 30% of cases animal abuse is carried out by young people, and many times animal abusers are more likely to be family abusers in the future: they are 5 times more likely to be. Now, there are two ways to mistreat animals: directly and indirectly.

Direct abuse is one in which the person performs a series of behaviors that are intended to harm the animal at that particular moment, for example, hitting or torturing it. On the other hand, indirect animal abuse is one that occurs when the abuser does not perform the necessary care for his well-being. For example, depriving him of food.

Other authors differentiate between active or passive abuse. The first manifests itself when the abuser performs a series of behaviors to hurt the animal (choking, kicking, etc.), and the second when the subject mistreats the animal for other reasons such as: abandonment, neglecting hygiene, commercial exploitation, fights dogs etc

Psychological profile of the animal abuser

In the following lines you can find a list of traits that people who mistreat animals present.

1. Lack of empathy and regrets

It is impossible to become an abuser when people are able to put themselves in another's shoes and understand the suffering they are going through. Individuals who show cruelty to animals and brutally punish them are insensitive to their pain and suffering.

The lack of empathy is a trait that only animal abusers present to us, but that any type of abuser presents. Besides, animal abusers do not regret their actions or make self-criticism, and tend to extend this type of behavior with other people, for example, with their children.

• Related article: “Profile of the psychological abuser: 21 traits in common”

2. antisocial personality

The antisocial personality is characterized because the individual who presents it tends to be linked to behavior contrary to social norms and even laws, and ignores the rights of others in favor of own.

A study published in the journal Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law in 2002, found that people who mistreat animals often have antisocial personality disorder, antisocial traits and substance abuse (in the case of adults). The same study indicates that half of people with this type of personality engage in behaviors sadists, and if they commit this type of act before the age of 10, the prognosis is worse, and they even commit crimes.

• Related article: “Antisocial Personality Disorder: causes, symptoms and treatment”

3. Lack of proper education

Childhood is an important stage of life and parental educational styles significantly influence the growth of children as people and social beings. Many (but not all) animal abusers are individuals who grow up in families or environments where they develop violent behaviors, sometimes directed towards the weakest (elderly, women, children and pets). company). By living it since childhood, its negative effects are perceived as normal.

4. Stimulation by violence

Some studies also show that these individuals are prone to violence and feel stimulated by it.. For this reason, a part of animal abusers, especially the youngest, tend to perceive the abuse of animals as an act that is not punishable and even amuses them. In addition, these subjects usually have a low tolerance for frustration and an explosive temper.

5. autocratic personality

As the psychiatrist Alan Felthous concludes in the previously mentioned investigation, “the animal abusers are people who want to demonstrate power and authority and act against more victims weak. They are authoritarian people, who do not usually listen to the opinions of others and are prone to send orders.

These individuals they hold undemocratic beliefs and tend to direct violence towards weak victims or "scapegoats" in order to appear strong and feared. They are cold and calculating.

6. intolerant

Animal abusers are intolerant, and are not only more likely to disrespect the rules, but also the opinions, attitudes, or behaviors of others. They tend to have prejudices (sexism, racism, etc.), which is why they tend to react in a violent, resentful, and cruel way..

7. selfish

People who are capable of mistreating animals are selfish people who They only think of themselves and do not connect emotionally with other people or animals. And it is that animal abuse can occur in many ways, and can even be associated with economic benefits. For example, rhino poaching.

Selfishness is often present in this form of abuse, and that is why, when an owner gets tired of having an animal in house that has been bought on a whim, he is capable of abandoning it on a road and wishing it luck without any remorse.