Can Torturing Animals Be a Sign of Mental Disorder?

My son (16 years ) had gotten some gerbils for a school project and he said they were ugly and that he would just "buy prettier ones". What I did not know is that he purposefully left them in their cage without food or water so that they would die. When I found the dead gerbils he just told me nonchalantly that he let them die since he did not want them. The school teacher told me that could be a sign of a mental disorder and should be checked out by a psychologist. But he is at the top of his class and in line for being valedictorian/salutatorian and looks very normal, (side note: when he was 8, he hung his two rabbits by the throat to see their response to quote "oxygen deprivation" I got after him but since the rabbits did not die I just grounded him for a day ) Even though he doesnt have a history of mental issues, could he have a problem?

You can't be real....

When he finally gets arrested as the next Dahmer, are you going to believe he has a problem then?

Yes, of course torturing animals is a sign of mental instability.

Do you intend to stand in line to be his first human victim?

Hmmm, this is hard to say. I would just take him to a psychiatrist, maybe, and have an evalutation done. I mean, does he have a high interest in science? This sounds like it could be somthing to be alarmed about, but on the other hand, maybe not. Have him checked please.

After reading the others answers, I would have to strongly agree with them!! I didn't know that about Jeffrey Dahmer!!

I do not say this to alarm you, but in all seriousness for the sake of your son, but Jeffrey Dahmer tortured and killed animals when he was young. Other serial killers have as well. He may have some fascination with killing, and the fact that he doesn't feel guilt is potentially alarming.

Tell him he's going to see a therapist, and if he complains, tell him it's to make yoou feel better, not him.

Jeffrey Dahmer started out by torturing animals and he was very smart, probably the top of his class. That is definitely a sign of lack of conscience. I was a psychology major and most psychopaths start out torturing animals. He needs to know how wrong that is. It's called animal neglect and one can get arrested for that in most if not all states. Side note: How many times do you think he might have done this without you knowing? He probably has done this more than once before. Get him help for the sake of all of us before its too late and he moves on to people.

Very definately and if you do not get him help right away, you would be asking for trouble.
It's been found through many studies that serial killers all tortured and killed animals in their youths.
Please get him to a hospital right away to see a psychiatrist on call. They may wish to keep him in, to evaluate him.
And for God's sake, don't let him have or go near any more animals in the future!!! He should be charged with animal cruelty.

You darling son needs (and has needed since he was 8) psychological counselling and observation. Almost all mass murderers and people found guilty of hate crimes started out exactly like your son. How can you possibly end your question with a statement that reads, "Even though he doesn't have a history of mental issues....?" HE DOES HAVE A HISTORY. IT STARTED WHEN HE WAS 8 AND HE IS STILL DOING SICK, PERVERTED, HATEFUL ACTIONS.

I'm sorry you are having this issue, but you should definitely have him evaluated. Many murderers, rapists and other felons started out my torturing animals. Good Luck and realize that this is not a reflection of you.

That is a classic sign of a sociopath!

mental illness has little to do with intelligence. I agree, he sounds like he's training to be a serial killer. Ted Bundy was intelligent and charming and handsome, too.

That is animal cruelty and if u dont do something about it fast ur son could be spending time in jail...... and i dont wanna be mean by saying any of this but people in jail will kick ur as* for that shiat....

Yes. Check out the Dr. Phil site - he had a special on tv within the last year, 7 signs/traits your child will become a murderer. Torturing/killing animals was on the list. Definitely take him to see someone, hurting animals is wrong and sick. High IQ has nothing to do with it. I hope you can find a qualified person to help you. Good luck.

A 16 year old is old enough to know not to let anything starve to death. It sounds like really he needs help. I'd get him to a mental health professional. Hanging rabbits at age 8 out of curiousity is NOT Normal either.

This is how serial killers start. Ted Bundy was excellent in school and looked normal too.

The key signs in future serial killers are setting fires and abusing animals.

This is a scary situation. Your son needs help really badly and you need to keep him away from all animals (and I'd keep him away from children too if you can).

lady, you and your son need help quick!..most sociopaths like to hurt animals..they get a thrill out of it.. they have no feelings of sadness.. serial killers,often said they started out with animals...i think that you do not want to deal with his issues, but you must.. what if he turned on you?any sisters or brothers?.. this is a very serious issue, and you must talk to the school councilor ,social worker . if money is a problem there ways to get help.. you must not delay!

First of all, he tortures animals. Second of all, he showed NO REMORSE. These are two signs of a sociopath.

Most serial killers started out on animals. They do it to feel powerful and lack no remorse for killing another creature. This is danger and your son needs help.

The fact that he shows NO remorse is frightening.
Please get him help.

Well, first of all you should really talk to him about torchering aniomals like that! It's seriously wrong! And you only punished him for 1 day! ONE!!! Also he could have a mental disorder. It's possible.

Cruelty to animals is often a first sign of later violent crimes against people, too. It definitely would be worth talking to your pediatrician about your concerns.

PS - When animals are purchased "for the kids" (even at 16) a parent or other adult must alway monitor the care of pets in the house to make sure they are being cared for properly.

He needs help, just find him a more intelligent therapist as it sounds like he may take advantage of the situation. How old are u? You are a junior in college and have a 16 year old son?

There is always a possibility but I seriously doubt he has a mental illness. If he is not gothic or unusual, and does not do this as a hobby, probably the case is that he isn't complying to the social standards that everybody believes are "correct" or "normal".

I do not have a mental disorder, but I love torturing smaller rodents (ants, beatles, frogs, mice) but I love animals. Do some research on Ancient Rome Collessium and you will find that it's in a persons nature to be violent bloodthirsty. (specifically the 200 days of straight 'games' which caused rome to fall). I believe your boy is perfectly normal and something as small as a rodent should not cause bad feelings. People have different views on things, and he just doesn't personally care if a tiny little hamsters dies. It's no big deal. It wouldn't be a big deal to me, either, and many many other people I know.


BTW I think your teacher needs to keep her mouth closed before making these accusations.