Art

Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to explore issues of social justice, with a focus on animal cruelty, and to create awareness to the public through a creative process. The objective of this paper is to illustrate that stories can be used to change lives and also adjust peoples practices with the aim of enabling them to become more socially and environmentally conscious. In other words, in this paper it is evident that one can influence change basically by talking about issues and concerns that usually happen.  Animal cruelty is a vital issue of social justice since we live with these animals and they form part of our social system.

Cruelty to Animals
According to Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare, cruelty to animals can be defined as the act of inflicting physical pain, suffering or death on an animal beyond the levels required for normal discipline. It can include monstrous neglect and being put in looming danger of death (Marc Bekoff  and Carron A.).


Back ground information
I chose animal cruelty as my issue of social justice after my experience in seeing how people mishandle animals. Most people are ignorant about the issues regarding animal cruelty and they have to be informed creatively in order inculcate this issue in them (Stuff). My interest in cruelty to animals developed when I read Just a Dog (Arluke, 183). From this book, I was offended by the case which occurred in June 1996 where a judge summarily dismissed the egregious case of animal cruelty against Willa (the dog), despite strong evidence that the dog was hideously beaten with base bats.

Importance of addressing the issue of animal cruelty
There is a common characteristic between animal abuse and violence between human beings.  They are both living creatures, and they both have the capacity to feel pain and distress and die due to inflicted injury. Secondly, there is a relationship between animal abuse and violent offences Kellert and Felthous (1985). Thirdly, violence toward animals can be a sign of danger to people in a society. Studies have shown that people who abuse animals have some psychological disorders. It addresses the fact that animals are vulnerable to abuse because they cant say what happened to them. This research was enjoyable because during the study, I learnt what should be done to avert social injustice to animals (ASPCA).

Artists addressing the issue of animal cruelty
Some artists are creating awareness about animal cruelty through using social web sites like Facebook. Should animal cruelty in Asian films be censored when those films are released in Europe and the US(Ard Vijn). Other artists are addressing this issue by writing books. For instance sociologist, Arluke, 2006 wrote a book Just a Dog to raise awareness on cruelty to animals (189).

The methods used by the above authors are effective depending on the target groups. Using books will be quite effective when addressing scholars while use of films and social will be effective when addressing particular social groups. For instance use of Facebook will create a major impact in the lives of the youth, particularly stdents. Addressing this topic can also be approached by a topic for drama, song or plays in festivals.  By doing this, many people who do not have access to literature or the web will be reached and the information disseminated.  

What should be done to restore justice
Children should be educated on the benefits of being kind to animals and what they should do ensure justice to all, including animals. This concept can be implemented by including cruelty to animals in the academic curricula in school. Parents or adult should ensure that their pets are happy and loving, when children see this, they will instinctively care for their pets feelings. The concept of education about cruelty to animals should be extensive to include the adults. Children under four should not be exposed to cruelty since at this age they are able to learn that such actions make others, including animals, sad. People should be taught how to handle different kinds of animals so as not provoke them. People should be taught how to act when they see others treating animals cruelly.

Methodology
Cruelty to animals is not monitored systematically in the national crime reporting system (Howard Snyder, Personal Communication, January 22, 2001). Due to this I relied particularly on data from studies in development psychology and psychopathology to estimate the prevalence this problem behavior in a samples of youth. I also formulated a questionnaire which included questions about cruelty to animals. I also relied on the care takers of the abused animals report just as Achenbach-Quay when he formulated the Achenbach-Quay (ACQ) behavior Checklist (USA Today).

Conclusion
Different forms of arts can be used to influence peoples perspectives on issues. Cruelty to animals is an issue that artists can raise awareness on using various forms- music, books, media and in film.