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Springfield, Oregon: Friends of 15 year old Kipland Kinkel of Springfield, Oregon say he displayed all of the classic signs of violence, often bragging about torturing and killing small animals. Reports indicate that Kinkel killed cats, possibly his own family cat, and a cow. He also has a fascination with guns and a quick temper that led him to be expelled from school twice in one week, for acts of violence against fellow students. He was accused of murdering both of his parents, then going on to his high school to open fire on his schoolmates, killing 2 and injuring another 22, on May 22, 1998. Police also found four bombs in his home.

In recent press releases from the

Humane Society of the United States

The tragedy in Oregon clearly illustrates the connection between animal cruelty and human violence,; said Dr. Random Lockwood, a psychologist and vice president for The HSUS. It is alleged that the 15 year old suspect in May shooting, Kipland P. Kinkel, had a history of killing cats and other animals. Time and again, we see acts of cruelty to animals mature into violence against people. We urge teachers, principals and parents to recognize this connection and to take reports of cruelty towards animals seriously. As in this case, teens will often brag to their classmates about animal cruelty. Early intervention by counselors can make a difference. Kinkel also reportedly bragged about torturing animals to; classmates. According to Lockwood and many other experts in the field, violence towards animals can escalate to killing people. This is particularly true of family violence,; Abusers rarely stop to count the number of legs on their victims,; Lockwood states. The HSUS urges psychologists, educators and elected officials to take acts of animal cruelty seriously. "The days  of thinking that violence against animals is boys being boys are over. Addressing the violence in our schools,  our streets and our homes requires that we reject the conventional wisdom that killing animals is an acceptable part of growing up,; Lockwood concluded.