Animal abuse

[K8e]

So, I am a psych nurse in a psych clinic. Reading patients' charts, I come across admitted animal abuse from time to time. This is actually very traumatizing for me and weighs heavily on my mind. I had asked my manager if I could report the animal abuse to try and save these pets from the torture they are forced to endure. My manager told me this would constitute a HIPPA violation. My question: Why are health care professionals mandated reporters of child, domestic, elder abuse but not animal abuse? Why should the two be any different? Animals are also living, breathing beings who have emotions and feel pain. I would like to know why having a healthcare professional report the CRIME of animal abuse is not permitted. Instead, we are to ignore it and allow the suffering to continue. I love psych nursing and love my job, but this is just so wrong. It is truly a sick world we live in ?

[mandsann]

On 6/21/2019 at 9:51 PM, K8e said:

So, I am a psych nurse in a psych clinic. Reading patients' charts, I come across admitted animal abuse from time to time. This is actually very traumatizing for me and weighs heavily on my mind. I had asked my manager if I could report the animal abuse to try and save these pets from the torture they are forced to endure. My manager told me this would constitute a HIPPA violation. My question: Why are health care professionals mandated reporters of child, domestic, elder abuse but not animal abuse? Why should the two be any different? Animals are also living, breathing beings who have emotions and feel pain. I would like to know why having a healthcare professional report the CRIME of animal abuse is not permitted. Instead, we are to ignore it and allow the suffering to continue. I love psych nursing and love my job, but this is just so wrong. It is truly a sick world we live in ?

If you ever decide to get into advocacy on this, shoot me a message! I believe strongly in this too! Animals are, arguably, more vulnerable than humans (with the exception of kids and elderly) since they can't communicate their needs.