is suspected of having abused and killed a cat. Cynthia Ashruf who is a member of this foundation expressed disbelief over the release of the suspect especially given the fact that there is strong incriminating evidence against him. The suspect was arrested last Monday night. At the time of his arrest he was in possession of clothes, a sharp object, an iPhone XR and a can of Baygon. Reports indicate that the teen suspect confessed to the charge. Ashruf pointed out that the release of the boy has sent outrage within the animal rights community. “It is worse than shocking. There is clear legislation that we had fought for many years and still the suspect was released”, said Ashruf who added that the suspect had filmed his acts of animal cruelty. “The footage clearly shows how the animal died. That makes things very serious”, said Ashruf who made it clear that ample research backs up the finding that there is a direct link between acts of cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. This includes child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and other violent behavior. “That is why this must be tackled seriously”, said Ashruf who called the release of the suspect a black day for animal welfare in Suriname. Ashruf explained that the release of the suspect also sends the wrong message. She pointed out that the suspect should be prosecuted but that the authorities must also look at the mental state of the suspect. “What he did to that animals is condemnable. Such a person must be monitored. I hope that they will check to see if he is mentally ill and that they will provide the appropriate treatment to him”, said Ashruf. Meanwhile this case has gone viral on social media and many citizens have condemned these acts of animal cruelty. A landmark 1997 study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University found that animal abusers are in fact five times as likely to also harm other humans.