Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence
The following information was prepared by the Humane Society of the United States
Animal Cruelty and Family Violence: Making the Connection
Pets are part of the family in the majority of American households,
where nearly three-quarters of families with school-age children have at
least one companion animal. These animals are often treated like members
of the family, but if the family is experiencing violence they can become
targets as well. Pets are often an important source of comfort and stability
to the victims of abuse, particularly children. But abusive family members
may threaten, injure, or kill pets, often as a way of threatening or controlling
others in the family.
A 1997 survey of 50 of the largest shelters for battered women in the
United States found that 85% of women and 63% of children entering shelters
discussed incidents of pet abuse in the family. Children who have witnessed
domestic violence or who have been the victims of physical or sexual abuse
may also become animal abusers themselves, imitating the violence they
have seen or experienced. A study conducted in 1995 noted that 32% of the
pet-owning victims of domestic abuse reported that one or more of their
children had hurt or killed a pet. Similarly, a 1983 study noted that children
were reported to be abusive to animals in more than a third of a sample
of pet-owning families referred to New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family
Services for suspected child abuse.
It is essential for those who respond to family violence to be alert
to this connection. Professionals in domestic violence intervention, law
enforcement, child protection, human and veterinary medicine, education,
and animal care and control should get to know their counterparts in other
professions and work together to establish strategies for a coordinated
response to these needs.
In fact, professionals who help families in crisis are increasingly
recognizing the role that animals play in the dynamics of family violence.
Many law enforcement agencies are training officers who respond to domestic
violence calls to be alert for signs that a situation is life-threatening.
These include situations where the batterer has threatened suicide, is
displaying a firearm, or has hurt or killed a family pet.
In addition, local domestic violence shelters and animal protection
organizations have begun partnering to develop "safe havens" for the pets
of domestic violence victims because many victims delay leaving the abusive
batterer out of fear for their pets' safety. All too often, batterers punish
victims for leaving by abusing or killing the pets. Yet, with the help
of over 100 safe haven programs currently operating around the United States,
many domestic violence victims no longer have to choose between their safety
and their pets.
The First Strike® campaign can help in the process of bringing professionals
together from a variety of agencies. We facilitate workshops and provide
educational materials specifically for various professionals working to
prevent family violence. For more information, please call our First Strike
toll free line at 1-888-213-0956.
Fact Sheet
Why do batterers threaten, abuse, or kill animals?
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To demonstrate and confirm power and control over the family.
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To isolate the victim and children.
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To eliminate competition for attention.
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To force the family to keep violence a secret.
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To teach submission.
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To retaliate for acts of independence and self-determination.
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To perpetuate the context of terror.
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To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her/him to return.
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To punish the victim for leaving.
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To degrade the victim through involvement in the abuse.
Why should we recognize animal abuse as a form of battering?
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Animal abuse exposes the deliberateness of battering rather than loss of
control.
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Animal abuse and child abuse are closely related.
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Animal abuse is often a tool used by batterers to emotionally control or
coerce victims.
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Threatening, injuring, or killing animals can indicate the potential for
increased violence or lethality.
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Victims may postpone leaving out of fear for their pets' safety.
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Identifying animal abusers can help identify other victims of violence
within the family.
What can victims of domestic violence do to protect their pets?
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Develop an emergency plan for sheltering the pets, themselves, and their
children (Review a copy of the First Strike® planning guide, Making
the Connection: Protecting Your Pet From Domestic Violence.)
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Establish ownership of the pets (obtain an animal license, proof of vaccinations
or veterinary receipts in victim's name to help prove they own the pets).
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Prepare the pets for departure (collect vaccination and medical records,
collar and identification, medication, bowls, bedding, etc.).
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Ask for assistance from law enforcement or animal care and control officers
to reclaim the pets if left behind.
What are suggested intake questions regarding pets that should be asked
by a domestic violence shelter?
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Do you now have a pet? If yes, how many and what kinds?
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Have you had a pet in the past 12 months? If yes, what kinds?
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Has your partner ever hurt or killed a family pet? If yes, describe.
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Has your partner ever threatened to hurt or kill a family pet? If yes,
describe.
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Have you ever hurt or killed a family pet? If yes, describe.
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Have any of your children ever hurt or killed a family pet? If yes, describe.
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Was the animal considered the child's, yours, your partner's or the family's
pet?
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Did your concern for a pet's welfare keep you from coming to a shelter
sooner than now? If yes, explain.
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Did you leave the abusive partner because of the abuse of a pet? If yes,
describe.
What can advocates do to raise awareness about the connection between
animal cruelty and domestic violence in their communities?
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Take animal abuse seriously.
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Contact their counterparts in other agencies.
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Develop cross training and cross reporting among animal welfare, domestic
violence, child abuse and other related agencies.
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Support strong anticruelty laws.
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Develop community anti-violence coalitions.
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Develop community-based programs to promote empathy and humane education.
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Encourage research on the connection.
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Work with local animal shelters, veterinarians, veterinary schools and
boarding kennels to develop emergency housing programs for pets.
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Collect data in their own agencies.
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Add questions to intake forms about animal cruelty.
What does The HSUS's First Strike campaign do to help other organizations?
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Provide First Strike materials and related information.
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Assist with outreach efforts (e.g., workshops, contacts, etc.).
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Provide information and contacts for model programs across the country.
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Provide advice, support, and technical assistance.
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Provide assistance on cases involving animal cruelty.
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Assist with legislative efforts.
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Help raise awareness of domestic violence, child abuse and other forms
of human violence among animal protection organizations and activists.
Web Resources
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