Website "The National Humane Education Society -Understanding Animal Neglect and Cruelty." The National Humane Education Society -Understanding Animal Neglect and Cruelty. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2015. The National Humane Education Society source I found was able to depict the the cycle of of violence and then create different theories about the root causes. "Over two decades of psychological and sociological research reveals that exceedingly cruel acts toward animals often lead to brutality toward humans". "Such violence has been observed in serial killers, who often began their sprees of violence by practicing on animals". With the rise in professional study of the causes of animal cruelty, concerned professionals will have a better understanding of how violence toward animals begins and how to attempt to prevent it. Website "What Are the Causes of Animal Abuse?" What Are the Causes of Animal Abuse? N.p., n.d. Web. 23 June 2015. The Pet Care Tips source defined what animal abuse really is; "the act of intentionally causing the deprivation of shelter, water, food, socialization, medical care or even maiming, torturing, mutilating or killing an animal". Animal abuse is a worldwide silent epidemic that goes unnoticed until it is too late. I gained a different perspective on animal abuse, not only is it the stereotypical forms of abuse but it also animal testing. When animals are used as test subjects for different chemicals and substances that will eventually be used on humans. This type of treatment of animals is legal and is under huge debate whether or not it should be legal or illegal. "Cruelty ranges from neglect to malicious killing of animals". Book Gruen, Sara. Water for Elephants: A Novel. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin, 2006. Print. Through the eyes of two versions of Jacob Jankowski-one in his nineties and another in his twenties-readers witness what it was like to fall in love, both with circus animals and with a strong woman. When he is a couple days short of gaining his degree in veterinary science from Cornell University, Jacob learns that his mother and father have been killed in an automobile accident. With this stroke of bad luck, Jacob has his planned future suddenly snatched away. As he stumbles through the next weeks in a daze, numbed not only by the cold winter but also by no longer having any family or home, he sees a train chug by in the night. On a sudden impulse, Jacob jumps aboard. He wants his rag-tag circus to be as spectacular as the Ringling Brothers, but he is going at it in all the wrong ways. August, the animal trainer, who becomes Jacob’s immediate boss. August has a split personality. On one hand, August takes Jacob under his wing, like a father, because he appreciates Jacob’s veterinary skills. On the other hand, August is a monster. "He beats his animals and later beats his wife, Marlena, a circus performer, with whom Jacob falls in love" Documentary An Apology To Elephants. Dir. Amy Schatz. Perf. Lily Tomlin. 2013. Documentary. The documentary An Apology To Elephants is about the life of Elephants living in captivity. There is live footage from how terrible circus elephants are trained, treated and what they are forced to do. So although it may be cool to go to the circus and see the elephants dance and do tricks, in order for that to all happen they go through terror. The elephants are constantly living in fear, afraid that if they make one wrong move they will be beaten. Training the elephants takes about 10 men, strong ropes, hooks, hot shots, bullhooks, and more. "We control them with fear, if we make them fear us they listen to commands" said one of the circus elephant trainers. This lifetime of fear, abuse and neglect is all for human entertainment, so we can buy those tickets and go watch the show. "They are waiting for the next beating, that's why they stay in line and perform" said one of the zoo caretakers. This pain mentally disturbs the animals, leaving them destroyed and broken. The population of elephants is declining, not only due to animal abuse but also because of poaching. We need to start taking better care of our ecosystem, we will realize how rich life was once we've lost it all. People have the ability to change the future, all it takes is for you to not buy that next circus ticket. Database Girgen, Jenn. "Animal Abuse." Research Starters. Ebscohost, Dec. 2014. Web. July 2015. The database is divided into 5 different sections, starting with "Significance". The section gives an outline about animal abuse and the challenge that it really is. "Laws protecting animals vary from state to state, there is no single legal definition of animal abuse". Generally, animal abuse is seen as acts that inflict unnecessary pai