Is Animal Abuser with Special Needs and/or Mental Health Issues Causing Stigmas and Hostility to the entire community?

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I wonder what is everyone opinions for this issue?

I always finding myself end up in the middie of the firing zone of Animal Extremist. Whenever i share my views at the abuser point of views.

And very often i end up with those kind of hostile comments asking if i know the person, if i am also a abuser or if i support abuse of animals .etc

And recently 2 cat abusers was sentences but both our gov and also most of the hardcore animal lovers demands harsh sentences and some even ask for the death penalty. And there is also comments like now they abuse and kill animals later that will abuse and kill people.

But honestly…what does jail time do for people with mental health issue and/ special needs apart of just causing them to end up with bad friends and stash aways from proper help and support? And some might just repeat the same offence because to them jail trm does nothing benefical to their mental and psychological wellbeing.

And who knows if they end up mingling with drug addict and end up coming out being a drug mule because to them they find comfort and warmth when around this bad company.

Still…apart from this, i see a lot of hostility from hardcore animal lovers toward people with special needs and/or mental health issues as they deem they should be thrown into IMH for life.

But than…i am not surprise that many of those hardcore animal lovers are actually someone suffering from mental health issues to, as they are very anti social and only like to spend time with animals. And their behaviours gets rather extreme when they know animal has been abuse, be it, doxxing, stalking putting up posters, public shaming. Well…you name it. And now we have some MP and Minister decided to join their side and start making immature comments.

I feel like being a person with both mental health issues and special needs, there is a new challenge ahead that we all need to face.

I always see people who abuse animals as someone that is trying hard to cry for help and yet their cry went unanswered, if that is the case how much help will they get after being locked up in prison?

I always find commuity service might be a more reasonable punishment for them rather then jail term. And they get to be around good people and also find meaning while contributing back to the society.

And…many of the cat lovers and feeders actually always like to say those cats deserve to be on the streets. But not knowing keeping them indoors might as well be the only win win solution, as if there is no cat on the streets, how can a animal abusers abuse one if they cannot find one?

And many of the so called strays are actually roaming pet cats that their owners are lazy to maintain and some also insist their cat dont like to stay at home and wants to be outside. So who to blame if their cats get killed or abused? I do believe if pet cat gets abuse or killed on the streets the owner should also be punish for it, since its their ego that cause the cat to be harmed.

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hi @user1446 , it’s a really interesting topic that you’ve brought up!

you mentioned that people tend to attack you when you try to look at problems from an animal abuser’s point of view, as well as call for death to the abuser, which is pretty unreasonable. i think it’s very kind of you to sympathise with the animal abusers.

indeed, there are psychological implications to animal abuse, and it does seem like a cause for concern. i agree that they could have been attempting to demonstrate that they need help, but surely there are better ways to do so that don’t involve harming others. the fact remains that they have committed a crime, and by law, will have to serve a jail sentence. singapore prisons do employ psychologists and correctional rehabilitation specialists, who may be of help, so prisons are not completely detrimental to their mental health.

about your last paragraph, i think owners of roaming pets do get punished by law if the cats are harmed, as this is a type of neglect!

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Hello @user1446 , what struck me as I read your sharing is your ability to deal with the “grey area” and willingness to empathise, even with people that have been harshly condemned and shamed upon. I think its encouraging to see people like you, because I do feel that way about some issues too. I do think that this shame against animal abusers may not be the most helpful as well; while on part it could deter those who feel the urge to do so from actually doing it, it could also prevent those who already feel the urge from seeking help. Sometimes these people don’t understand how to seek help for their urge for causing such harm too. I also agree that it could be better if we extend some sort of empathy towards them, but of course there should still be a harsh boundary set like animal abuse is still BAD and should never be acted upon.

Unfortunately, the online community isn’t the healthiest place to be and discuss issues like that. People who lurk in the comments tend to be harsher and possibly hold more polarised views (because of the way algorithm is) and well you know how the system works too. I suggest holding such conversations with your friends offline, specifically to those who are open to hearing such opinions. I believe such conversations can bring us to deeper thought about societal functions, and empathy towards people behind the stigma of any kind. :slight_smile: May you protect that empathetic part of yourself :heart_hands: