‘Animal crucifixions may not necessarily lead to murders… for now’ – forensic psychologist

Crucifying an animal is undoubtedly a violent act, but this may not necessarily lead to murders, a Forensic Psychologist told sister newspaper Illum.

After two years of animal crucifixions in Mosta, questions were being raised on what would happen if the persons behind these horrible acts decided to turn his attention onto people.

"It is difficult to predict such a situation since these are relatively rare occurrences. But if this would be the case, this will not happen overnight. In other words, we would have noted an increase in the frequency of the acts, or more violence inflicted on animals. This may happen if the perpetrator's cause of unrest persists or even worsens," forensic psychologist Roberta Holland said.

She adds that nonetheless, the crucifixions of animals already show the person involved has abnormal methods on how to pass a message, and this poses a risk to society.

Holland also says that the choice of cats, which are usually kept as domestic pets, underline the perpetrator's wish to cause unrest in society.

Read more in today's issue of Illum.