The "Link" (The correlation between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse)

Ok, so I no sooner post the last one about animal hoarding, and my brother turns me on to a local news broadcast about the "Link", the link between people who abuse their partner or family will also usually be an animal abuser. Apparently the article linked it to it being an ongoing problem in NM.

So being the person I am, I researched it more. It isn't just in NM it is worldwide. The ASPCA has information on it,  and this is an excerpt of what they have to say:

"In recent years, a strong connection has been documented linking animal abuse and domestic violence. A New Jersey study found that in 88 percent of families where there had been physical abuse of children, there were also records of animal abuse. In Wisconsin, battered women revealed that in four out of five cases, abusive partners had also been violent toward pets or livestock. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence conducted its own study in which 85.4 percent of women and 63.0 percent of children reported incidents of pet abuse after arriving at domestic violence shelters. The Chicago Police Department's Domestic Violence Program took a look at the criminal histories of animal fighting/animal abuse arrestees for 2000-2001 and found that approximately 30 percent had domestic violence charges on their records. There is legitimate evidence that the individuals involved in violent acts against animals present a danger to the public that must be addressed. Intentional animal abuse is often seen in association with other serious crimes including drug offenses, gang activity, weapons violations, sexual assault and domestic violence—and can be one of the most visible parts of an entire history of aggressive or antisocial behavior."

Another article from The American Humane organization's  site:

Why it Matters

• 71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals. 


• 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them.


• 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence. 


• Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave.


• Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities at the hands of abusers, or disappear from home. 


• Abusers kill, harm, or threaten children’s pets to coerce them into sexual abuse or to force them to remain silent about abuse. Disturbed children kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct, to prevent the abuser from killing the pet, or to take out their aggressions on another victim.


• In one study, 70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes. Domestic violence victims whose animals were abused saw the animal cruelty as one more violent episode in a long history of indiscriminate violence aimed at them and their vulnerability. 


• Investigation of animal abuse is often the first point of social services intervention for a family in trouble.


• For many battered women, pets are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support: 98% of Americans consider pets to be companions or members of the family. 


• Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk. 

And the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies has information on this problem also.

Ok, this is something that perhaps struck too close to home for me. It brought back memories of why my first marriage failed. And I am so very happy I had the fortitude to "wake up" when I did and stick to my guns to divorce him. Yes, he was an abuser. Not so much physically to me, the abuse directed towards me was all emotional and mental, but he did physically torment and tease the animals. That in and of itself is abuse. Strong ties there.

So, now some facts why this is so on the issue:

• People who abuse animals are often responsible for family violence

• Children who abuse pets tend to be victims too, or have been exposed to abuse and learn to behave aggressively toward other people and animals

• Animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people (Study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, 1997)

• Nearly all animal abusers have been victims of abuse or exposed to abuse as a child

• Animal abuse and human violence are inseparable and if they are not addressed as an interconnected cycle of violence it will only continue to poison our society from generation to generation


• To create an environment which intimidates and terrorizes their victims

• To demonstrate power over the family

• To use the pet as a warning to family members that “Next time it could be you”

• To punish victims for acts of independence and self-determination: such as leaving

• To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her to return by threatening the pet’s well being

• To degrade the victim and/or shift the responsibility of abuse through involvement in abuse

• To force the family to keep violence a secret

• To eliminate competition for attention


• To enforce submission


• To perpetuate an environment of fear


• To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her to return


• To punish for leaving or showing independence

So, what can we do?

• Learn about the human/animal violence connection

• Talking to your friends and colleagues about the connection between animal abuse and family violence may help to encourage people to report any suspected abuse. Someone who suspects domestic violence but is too afraid to get involved may be more comfortable reporting animal abuse.

• Emergencies -911


• Report less urgent matters – Police line


• Report Animal Abuse to a humane society/SPCA


• Report suspected child abuse and neglect to Family and Children’s Services

• Be a positive role model to children.

• Teach empathy to children.

• Learn the signs of abuse and what to do if you suspect someone you know is being abused. Click here to learn how to recognize the signs.

• If you know someone who wants to escape a violent relationship, offer a safe place for an animal to stay (ensure that the abuser will not be able to find the animal- this is to protect yourself, the victim and the animals)

What Can Law Enforcement Do?

It is imperative that first responders understand the connection between animal abuse and family violence. When responding to domestic calls it is imperative to be alert for signs that children and/or pets might be victimized. Children may be more willing to discuss what has happened to a pet than their own victimization.

And not staying silent on the issue of abuse of any form. You may not want to be "involved" but you are already by being a witness to it. How would you feel if the abuser decided to kill his family and pets and no one reported the abuses they saw because they were afraid to be "involved"? In the old days it was a shameful thing and abuse was never ever talked about. Society is different today, report it. Only by reporting and caring can we bring about the much needed education, changes, and help for the battered and the batterer.