May 3, 2007 – Gov. John P. deJongh has proclaimed Saturday, May 5, as "PAWS for a Cause Day" in the United States Virgin Islands, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. The V.I. recently enacted legislation to make acts of animal cruelty felony offenses with severe penalties.
Animal cruelty leads to other violent crimes, especially child abuse and family abuse. There has been an alarming increase in animal cruelty nationally.
Every effort must be made to reduce animal cruelty before it leads to more violent abuse. Studies have shown that pets normally become the helpless and silent victims of abuse in families experiencing violence.
