In the last decade, however, police departments around the country have called upon animal welfare groups to aid in training officers and to assist in investigating and prosecuting animal cruelty cases. This concern has been prompted by many dramatic case histories involving animal cruelty; the increasing attention being paid to all forms of family violence, including cruelty to animals; and the realizing that forms of organized cruelty, such as dogfighting, coexist with other types of criminal offenses. There is compelling evidence linking both serial and mass murderers to early instances of animal cruelty. Most violent offenders show signs of aggression as juveniles and their first victims are often animals. Many experts agree that animal abuse is often a symptom of a deeply disturbed family, in which children and elders may also be abused. Court actions against perpetrators of animal cruelty have been rare, but the courts are beginning to recognize that early intervention in animal abuse cases may prevent more serious incidents. 8 notes