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The Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence
Millie was shaking and cowering in the corner of the room as the Maricopa County Animal Control officer approached the house. "Take this dog," said her owner. "We don't need it anymore." Millie whimpered as the officer gently lifted her. Millie was skin and bones and had an open wound. Sadness overcame the officer as he moved to leave.
A young, crying boy suddenly appeared. "Please take care of her," the boy said. My father did not mean to hurt her. It was my fault. I shouldn't have been so bad." As Millie turned to lick the boy's hand, the father screamed, "Get in the house now." The boy lowered his head, turned and walked away.
This sad story is not uncommon. Each day thousands of animals are victims of abuse. But when animal abuse occurs the animal is often not the only victim. Animal abuse is one step in the cycle of domestic violence and it does not stand-alone. Many studies have shown a clear connection between animal abuse and other forms of family violence. If there is an animal in a home where child, spousal, or elder abuse occurs, you will often find animal abuse and vice-versa.
In one study that looked at violent criminals, a significantly higher rate of aggressive criminals had a history of animal abuse. Another study held in 1983 showed that 60% of families, who met the New Jersey State criterion for child abuse, also abused or neglected the family pet. And, in a 1997 study that surveyed 38 women seeking refuge from an abusive relationship, 71% reported having a pet that was threatened or harmed by their batterer.
Animal abuse should be taken seriously, as it is often an indicator that something else is going on in the home or with the individual. Many convicted serial killers have had animal abuse in their background. The infamous Jeffrey Dahmer impaled frogs and cats on sticks as a youngster. Theodore Bundy was linked to graveyards filled with animal bones.
More recently, many of the youngsters involved in school shootings have also had histories of animal abuse. Luke Woodham, age 16, who shot his mother and killed two classmates wrote in his journal that he had beat, burned and tortured the family dog Sparkle to death. He described the experience as "true beauty." Kip Kinkel of Oregon, age 15, who opened fire on his classmates in his Oregon high school often bragged of torturing animals. If someone would have reported that animal abuse was occurring, an intervention might have been possible.
Cruelty to animals takes on different forms in the context of family violence.
- Parents will kill a beloved family pet in front of the family to punish a child.
- Parents will threaten to harm an animal in order to secure silence of physical or sexual abuse.
- Batterers force partners to have sex with an animal or threaten an animal to punish their partner.
- Adult victims of domestic violence will prolong leaving an abusive relationship due to fear of harm to the family pet.
- Children identify with their abusers and begin to abuse an animal because it is a weaker victim than they are.
There are many things you can do to help create a non-violent community.
- Become aware of the signs of cruelty. Lack of food and water, lack of veterinary care for illness or injury, severe matting or filth, poor body condition, lack of sanitation, abandonment, ingrown collars around neck, tied or caged animals without room to move around, burns, trauma, poisoning, mutilation and animal fighting.
- Take all forms of abuse seriously. In the state of Arizona, intentional acts of animal cruelty is a felony. In Maricopa County report acts of animal cruelty to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office at (602) 256-1000 or your local law enforcement agency.
- If you know of a person who is being abusive, report it! If you know the person refer him to a professional for counseling. If you are a person who is preparing to leave an abusive situation consider the following:
a) If your pet is being harmed you may be in danger.
b) Protect your pet by having an emergency plan. Do not leave your animal behind if you decide to leave your home. Contact the Arizona Humane Society's Project Safe House Program at (602) 997-7585. Project Safe House offers temporary housing for animals in domestic violence situations.
c) Prepare a case with your pets personal items (medical records, leash, license, medications, carrier, etc.) so you can have it if you need to leave in an emergency
d) Make sure your animal is up to date on vaccinations and is wearing an ID tag or license if it is a dog. Establish ownership of the animal in your name. Contact MCACS at (602) 506-PETS, or call 1-888-pets-911 to locate a veterinarian near you who sells licenses.
- Find encouragement and support professionals (judges, doctors, social workers, teachers, law enforcement, and animal control workers) who are familiar with the cycle of violence. Maricopa County Animal Control Services (MCACS) offers programs for agencies that want to train staff on the link between animal abuse and family violence. Contact ACS at (602) 506-3471. If you are a social worker or a psychologist and you are interested in an intervention program for animal abusers contact The ASPCA Counseling Department in New York at (212) 876-7700. You may also contact the Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals at (301) 963-4751, www.psyeta.org.
- Be a role model – Practice appropriate parenting skills and be a responsible pet owner. Contact MCACS at (602) 506-PETS for more information.
- Create programs that address domestic violence holistically. There are a few national organizations that provide materials that help develop programs. Contact: The American Humane Association "Campaign Against Violence," (800) 227-4645, www.americanhumane.org. The American Humane Association National Resource Center on Link Between Violence to People and Animals, (877) Link-222, The Humane Society of the United States "First Strike Program," (202) 452-1100 and The Latham Foundation, (510) 521-0920.
- Volunteer to donate or help an agency that is protecting individuals from abuse.
- Educate others about the link between animal abuse and family violence.
Arizona Humane Society Project Safe House
1-602-997-7585
Provides temporary foster care for pets of domestic violence victims.
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