INTENTIONAL cruelty towards animals by children could provide an early-warning signal of potential violence against humans, a leading animal charity claimed yesterday at the launch of a new campaign, First Strike Scotland, writes Lynne Robertson.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said research in the US had already produced a recognised link between

ill-treatment of animals by youngsters and the route to more serious crimes, such as murder. The FBI already considers instances of attacks on animals to be a key role in offender profiling.

However, the American research has revealed that cruelty tendencies can be altered if treated early.

The SSPCA said the new campaign aimed to raise awareness of links between animal abuse and domestic violence, and called for greater contact between the agencies dealing with these problems.

Chairman Mrs Janet Marshall said research had already shown why animal cruelty incidents in youngsters could not be ignored.

''That is why, if we find a group of children who have taken a rabbit to a block of flats, doused it in petrol and burned it to death - and this happened, last year in Possilpark, Glasgow - we must never, never say they are just 'daft laddies'.

''Children don't commit an act like this out of youthful high spirits or natural curiosity - that is a dangerous myth. They may be on the road to more serious crime or they may themselves be victims of abuse.''

Veterinary pathologist Helen Munro, of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, who is examining links between animal abuse and domestic violence, said she had identified similarities between the behaviour of those who abuse children and those who ill-treat animals.