My niece hurts her pet cat and puppy, is this a sign of a larger problem?

Question

She has been corrected several times. I've personally sat down and explained how we take care of each other and other animals and we don't hurt them yet she still continues. She's 6.

Answer 1

I have two opinions:

1.  You've explained to her that her behavior isn't acceptable, that she's harming the animals, but it hasn't worked.  Give the animals to people who will love and care for them until she's old enough to treat them as she should.  

2.  Tear her butt up every time she's mean to the animals...she'll learn that it isn't acceptable behavior and stop mistreating them.  

I have a 9 year old Lab, Ebony.  She's my only daughter, and I'd fight a circle saw for her...just like I would my natural born kids.  I have a niece, my ONLY niece out of 8...she loves Eb, but she likes to sit on her back.  Eb's too old to have anyone sit on her (as if I'd allow it if she was a year old!!)...I will NOT tolerate such behavior, I will NOT allow anyone to mistreat her in any way, form or fashion.  I removed my niece from Eb's back and gave her a firm scolding, explained that this wasn't allowed and sent her on her marry way.  A couple hours later, she's back on Eb's back, bouncing like she's on a pony.  I took her off Eb's back, explained it again, then spanked her.  Problem solved.  She will pat Eb's head, hug her neck, and give her kisses, but she doesn't even attempt to sit on Eb.

Animals deserve to be loved and cared for...find them a new home, or apply the board of education to the seat of learning and light her butt up!  She'll learn.  It may take more than one spanking, but I assure you, she'll learn her lesson!

God bless you, Hon!

Answer 2

lots of kids torture animals. usualy they stop it when one dies because then the emotional pain helps them learn that it's wrong and what death is. I used to do the same until one died, from then on I love animals and hate to see one die. i like meat though. i'll only kill an animal if they start over populating and ALL possible parts are used.

Answer 3

In my humble opinion, NO!

Answer 4

It can be.  However, the correcting part needs to be started at a very young age.  If it was, I might be a little concerned.  If she was just recently corrected for the 1st time, it will take a while for her to understand.  You (meaning the parent) have to start very young when teaching kids how to treat and handle pets.

ETA: Does she have a fascination w/ animals and hurting them and/or laugh about it?  If so, I would definitely be worried.

Answer 5

I would definitely get her into to see some sort of counselor/psych asap, before it escalates any further. Also, make sure she is NEVER left alone with any of the animals.

Answer 6

is it possible that she is treating her "babies" the way she gets treated.

Answer 7

Miki makes a point.  Does she get spanked or hit as a disciple action?  Does she know how to channel her anger into something else?  When she hurts the animals does she really understand that she's hurting them?  Does she do it while she is playing with them?  Or does she do it when she's upset and lashes out on them?

Answer 8

Why would someone (ahem, above) EVER suggest ending violence with violence?  That is absurd!

She needs to be told that having pets to love is a privilege, not a right, and if she can't do that, the pets will have to go away to someone who can take better care of them.  I would definitely see how she has learned that hitting is something you can do to another being- I agree, it could be a sign of abuse, something happening at school,  or that maybe what she's watching on TV/playing on videogames needs to be more closely monitored.

Answer 9

I think it depends on what you mean by hurting. Is she hitting them or pulling their fur for her own personal amusement? Then yeah, that's odd. But if she's just playing too rough, trying to "ride" one of them or knocking down a dog that jumps on her, etc then she might just need more reminders that we don't treat animals that way.

Answer 10

According to info, it can be a warning sign of physical/sexual abuse. Both list that as a sign. It's hard to know if it is, or isn't something like that though. I'd deffinately say something isn't right...it's just figuring out what it is, and how to fix it. Worst comes to worst, talk to a child psychologist about it. G'luck!