Animal abuse and domestic violence-the sad link

Several years ago I took a series of domestic violence classes, as part of my duties as a peer support advisor with a law enforcement agency. One worrisome item that was mentioned, just as a minor observance, was that often if there is family violence in the home, there is also animal abuse/violence or neglect. But as recently as a decade ago, no one was overly concerned about this correlation or was even picking up on it.

FINALLY, those organizations that deal with domestic violence are beginning to study and make the link between these two behaviors. We have known for years that animal abuse and torture are part of most violent criminals, and present in serial killers’ backgrounds of violence. Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, the two boys involved in Columbine, all had histories of animal abuse and torture.

(AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

Reasons given by abused women for not leaving an abuser are sometimes not only because of the children, but also a beloved family pet. Pets in a household of violence play a major role in the children’s lives. Children cling to the one thing in the home that offers unconditional love. Unfortunately, in a physically abusive home, the family pet’s life expectancy is about two years. Many times, in cases of sexual abuse, the abuser threatens the child’s pet if the child reports the abuse.

Over the years we have learned that abuse gives birth to abuse. Violence leads to a circle of violence in a lot of cases. That is why so many children that are abused physically or sexually turn to that very behavior as adults. It is called the circle, or cycle of violence.

Thankfully, animal welfare groups are beginning to take action against this byproduct of family violence. Some battered women’s and children’s shelters, now incorporate animal havens within their doors so that the family doesn’t have to leave behind their furry or feathered family member.

Cross training is being done with law enforcement agencies and animal rescue groups to spot the signs of all abuse in the home. Some states are beginning to require veterinary clinics to report suspected animal abuse, but unfortunately most of those animals don’t end up in the vet clinic.

There is much more work to be done. The agencies involved in responding to calls of domestic violence, animal abuse and neglect and sexual abuse need to be trained in reading the signs that point to other violence in the home. Laws must be strengthened to increase penalties for abuse of any kind. These are usually not separate violent acts. If there is one type of abuse, there is usually another.

We, as private citizens, also have to be aware of the possible connection. If you see a child acting violently towards an animal or family pet, look for signs of other types of violence going on in that home. If the police are called for a domestic violence dispute, make a call (anonymously if you feel threatened by getting involved) to the police agency or to an animal rescue group in the area and let them know that you suspect that there is also animal abuse in that home. Be aware of what is going on around you.

The only way to stop the abuse is to get involved. Personally, agency to agency, and through legislation that makes violence, no matter who the victim, a felony.   Thanks for reading.  keepsake16@yahoo.com

For more information there are several excellent articles and references on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse:

Human-Animal Bond. The Link of Violence.http://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/newsroom/fact-sheets/understanding-the-link.html

Violent Behavior-Animal abuse at early age linked to interpersonal violence by Kathleen Quinn,
Former director of the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She cites several other resources in her article. http://www.childresearch.net/RESOURCE/NEWS/2000/200003.HTM#1

The Humane Society of the United States- Animal Cruelty and Family Violence-Making the Connection. http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/first_strike_the_connection_between_animal_cruelty_and_human_violence

Pet Education-Animal cruelty and Human Violencehttp://peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1278+1495&aid=3120