By Steve Neavling

Animal cruelty cases will soon be tracked by the FBI.

The USA Today reports that the bureau animal cruelty cases will be added to the Uniform Crime Report, which tracks other crimes such as murder, assault and burglary.

“No longer will extremely violent cases be included in the ‘other offense’ category simply because the victims were animals. Just as the FBI tracks hate crimes and other important categories, we will now have critical data on animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States.

“This is a great step in the right direction,” said Annette Laico, CEO of Progressive Animal Welfare Society in Lynnwood, Washington.

The Humane Society has been urging the FBI for years to begin tracking the cases.

The FBI didn’t respond to requests for a comment.