From time to time, the media reports incidents of animal abuse committed by some of our fellow citizens. These cases involve pets and wild animals subjected to cruelty by people or zoos that, instead of serving as sanctuaries and care centers, become places of torment for animals. What is happening is a form of violence that, while ostensibly directed at animals, signals troubling behaviors whose consequences may extend far beyond them. This type of cruelty reflects malevolent human behavior that initially violates animal rights but can eventually lead to the infringement of human and societal rights. Such violence is not limited to the killing of animals or physical abuse but also includes subtler forms of cruelty that can become widespread in society, imposing suffering on animals as part of a larger cycle. A cycle in which animals are the initial victims, followed by humans and the broader community.

Animals subjected to human cruelty are typically weaker than their abusers. Inflicting harm on them is a social anomaly that has unfortunately become more prevalent in recent years, or at least more visible thanks to social media. If we accept the theory of the cycle of violence, we can argue that the repetitive nature of violent acts means this behavior will not remain confined to animals. A person unable to control their violent impulses is unlikely to abandon such behavior, potentially shifting their targets from animals to humans. Someone who perpetrates violence against animals loses their ethical and emotional sensitivity through these actions, normalizing violence and increasing the likelihood of them committing acts of cruelty against people. (1)

Criminological studies have shown that individuals with a history of animal abuse are not only more likely to engage in violence against others but also exhibit a higher incidence of other antisocial behaviors. (2)

This phenomenon can begin in childhood. Without proper education about treating animals, children may unconsciously become animal abusers who, as discussed earlier, could carry the potential for harming humans later in life. Researchers argue that children’s violence toward animals often reflects hostility and aggression toward another person or object, stemming from neglect, a lack of attention, or abuse experienced by the child. Therefore, cruelty toward animals not only causes a living creature to experience pain and fear but may also signal that the child is at serious risk and possibly suffering from psychological disorders. (3)

In some cases, when a child abuses animals, the behavior is dismissed with comments like, “They’re just a kid and don’t understand,” or is trivialized with laughter or mockery. Adults often fail to recognize that animal abuse in children is not normal behavior and, like any form of violence, should never be considered a routine stage of development. (4) If violent tendencies are normalized in a child’s behavior at this stage, or if society at large comes to see such actions as normal, it could easily lead to violent behavior in the child’s adulthood or contribute to a general culture of violence.

Psychologists use the term “zoo sadism” to describe animal abuse, a behavior they believe can be a precursor to severe and sadistic tendencies in individuals. (5) Mentally and socially healthy individuals do not derive pleasure from harming animals. When such behavior is observed, it often indicates antisocial personality traits. In adolescents, this is linked to a condition known as “conduct disorder.” Adolescents with this disorder, if exposed to certain factors that exacerbate mental illness, may become prone to criminal behavior. (6)

In Iran, educational and cultural factors are the most significant contributors to the prevalence of animal abuse. A case study conducted in the city of Ardabil in 2021 (1400) revealed that among various factors—legal, social, cultural-educational, and environmental—it is the cultural and educational aspects that have the most substantial impact on this phenomenon. (7) This finding can likely be generalized to the entire country. It highlights serious cultural and educational deficiencies related to animal abuse and its implications for societal violence in Iran. These shortcomings are rarely addressed by official or unofficial media, and many families, preoccupied with other issues, lack the time to educate the next generation properly.

According to Dr. Hassan Omari, a social psychologist, this reflects a state of identity confusion in Iranian society, which has not yet achieved a stable sense of identity. (8) When asked whether their actions are wrong, animal abusers often acknowledge that they are. Yet, they continue their behavior. This contradiction reflects the influence of prevailing cultural norms, where people act based on behaviors shaped by societal influences without clear guidance. Individuals who have not been taught proper ways to interact with animals resort to violence, even though they know it is wrong.

This observation, initially based on research in Ardabil, can likely be extended across Iran, where cultural and educational weaknesses pose significant challenges. If these issues are not addressed and efforts are not made to correct societal problems, this could mark the beginning of widespread social violence.

When violence against animals is ignored or not met with effective legal consequences, the perpetrators conclude that their actions will not face societal or governmental repercussions. This fosters the normalization of violence in society. Over time, this normalized violence becomes entrenched within families and is even passed down from one generation to the next.

In the 1980s and 1990s (1360s and 1370s), violent behaviors such as mistreating mice, stray dogs and cats, sparrows, and even insects were commonplace. Adults rarely reprimanded children who crafted slingshots to hunt sparrows. These children were simply continuing a cycle of violence inherited from previous generations, which normalized cruelty to animals. As a result, a generation was raised to see animal abuse as normal, allowing abusers and psychologically disturbed individuals to begin their cruelty toward animals and only face societal or legal intervention when their actions escalated to harm humans.

In recent decades, society appears to have become more aware of the wrongness of animal abuse. However, achieving the standards of neighboring countries such as Turkey remains a long way off.

The grim story of animal abuse in Iran is long and bitter. It is a story that could give rise to various forms of social violence. While some observers may argue that Iran’s society is plagued by more pressing issues and that animal abuse is of little significance, they must recognize that this cruelty is a warning sign of latent violence in society. The victims of such violence will not necessarily remain animals; they could include citizens and humans within the community. If this societal thermometer of violence is ignored, today’s animal abusers could become tomorrow’s perpetrators of violence against people.

It is essential to write, speak, and raise awareness on this issue. Perhaps one day, cultural and educational authorities and intellectuals in the country will recognize the importance of addressing this problem. Until then, we must continue to write, speak, and strive for awareness.

References

1. Lockwood, R., & Ascione, F.R. (1998). Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence. Anthrozoos.
2. Aghamohammadi, Mahboob, & Nasirian, Ali. (2010). Animal Abuse and Its Relationship to Other Antisocial Behaviors. Presented at the 16th Iranian Veterinary Congress. Civilica.
3. Razavi, Seyyedeh Hoora. (October 14, 2024 [7 Mehr 1403]). Animal Abuse in Children. Dana Bon.
4. Ibid.
5. Psychological Analysis of Animal Abusers. IRNA News Agency, September 2, 2019 (11 Shahrivar 1398).
6. Ibid.
7. Abbasi, Rasoul, Jamioudolu, Maryam, & Zaranji, Jila Farzaneh Sadat. (November 2023 [Aban 1402]). Investigating Social Factors Influencing the Phenomenon of Animal Abuse in Urban Environments. Environmental Science Studies Quarterly, Volume 8, Issue 3, pp. 6928–6935.
8. Why Has Animal Abuse Become Common in Iran? Rooidad 24, April 27, 2022 (7 Ordibehesht 1401).