Examining Law Enforcement Agencies’ Responses to the Addition of Animal Cruelty to NIBRS

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In 2014, Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey approved the addition of animal cruelty to Group A of the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which is categorized into Group A and Group B offenses (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2016). In 2016, participating NIBRS...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Randour, Mary Lou (Author)
Contributors: Kearley, Anabel ; Wireman, Mikaila
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2024
In: American journal of criminal justice
Year: 2024, Volume: 49, Issue: 4, Pages: 576-589
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
FBI
Animal Cruelty
Cruelty against Animals
Adaptation
Record Management System
Law Enforcement Agencies
National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
Description
Summary:In 2014, Federal Bureau of Investigation director James Comey approved the addition of animal cruelty to Group A of the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which is categorized into Group A and Group B offenses (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2016). In 2016, participating NIBRS states began collecting animal cruelty data. The rationale for the addition of animal cruelty crimes to NIBRS was the large body of empirical evidence that demonstrates a close association between animal cruelty and other crimes, interpersonal violence in particular. This paper analyzes how states and local law enforcement agencies have responded to the addition of animal cruelty crime incidents to NIBRS, noting patterns of adoption in reporting animal cruelty crimes, gaps, and any other factor that provides clarity on the state of the implementation of animal cruelty crime statistics in NIBRS. The method of analysis was to first evaluate the animal cruelty incident rates by population groups established by the FBI and then to calculate the animal cruelty crime rate for Delaware and compare it to the U.S, as Delaware is the only state with an Office of Animal Welfare. With this analysis, we can determine which areas have sufficient data to inform law enforcement’s decisions about the allocation of resources and begin to craft prevention programs for animal cruelty and other forms of interpersonal violence.
ISSN:1936-1351
DOI:10.1007/s12103-023-09740-w