"It’s not that animal abuse is more prevalent ... what has changed over the past few years is the recognition that animal abuse is often a warning sign for other types of violence and neglect" says Stephan Otto, Director of legislative affairs with ALDF.

At least 27 states in the United States now allow courts to bar convicted animal abusers from owning or coming into contact with pets, nearly double the number from a decade ago, and 3 other states are considering similar measures this year. Tennessee and California are considering bills to create online registries of animal abusers.

Read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/us/18animal.html