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Animal Cruelty
and Human Violence
A
documented connection The
Humane Society of the United States
Is there a
connection between animal abuse and criminal violence?
A number of studies
have drawn links between the abuse of animals and violence against people. A
2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department "revealed a startling
propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other
violent offenses toward human victims." Of those arrested for animal crimes,
65% had been arrested for battery against another person.
Of 36 convicted
multiple murderers questioned in one study, 46% admitted committing acts of
animal torture as adolescents. And of seven school shootings that took place
across the country between 1997 and 2001, all involved boys who had previously
committed acts of animal cruelty.
How does animal
abuse relate to domestic abuse?
Pet abuse is one of
four predictors of domestic partner violence, according to a six-year "gold
standard" study conducted in 11 metropolitan cities. In both domestic violence
and child-abuse situations, abusers may manipulate and control their human
victims through threatened or actual violence against family pets.
Researchers have
found that between 71% and 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters
reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet. And another
study found that in families under supervision for physical abuse of their
children, pet abuse was concurrent in 88% of the families.
Can animal
neglect indicate abuse toward people?
Animal abuse in the
form of neglect is often one of the first indicators of distress in the
household. Whether owing to lack of empathy, mental illness, or substance abuse,
a person who fails to provide minimal care for the family pet is more likely to
neglect the basic needs of other dependents in the household. In many cases,
children found living among the squalor of neglected pets are taken into
foster care.
Animal hoarding is
an extreme example of how life-threatening neglect affects both people and
animals. By the time an animal hoarding situation is discovered, the unsanitary
conditions and lack of care may have killed a large number of the animals and
compromised the health of dependent children or elders in the household.
Is animal abuse
in children normal?
No. Children who
abuse animals are sending out clear warning signs that they pose a risk to
themselves as well as to others. The National School Safety Council, the U.S.
Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the
National Crime Prevention Council agree that animal cruelty is a warning sign
for at-risk youth.
Longitudinal studies
show that chronic physical aggression (e.g., animal cruelty) by elementary
school boys increases the likelihood they will commit continued physical
violence as well as other nonviolent forms of delinquency during adolescence.
A child who abuses
animals may also be acting out against violence in his own home.. Professional
intervention can remove a child from a potentially abusive situation and
divert him or her from future abusive behavior.
Experts agree
that early prevention and treatment of animal cruelty is the key to stopping the
cycle of violence, because as aggressive children get older, they are less
responsive to therapeutic intervention
How can stopping
animal abuse affect other issues?
Reporting,
investigating, and prosecuting animal cruelty can help take dangerous criminals
off the streets. Police know that in homes where animal abuse is a problem,
other issues are often concurrent. Acts of animal cruelty are linked to a
variety of other crimes, including violence against people, property crimes, and
drug or disorderly conduct offenses.
Stopping animal
abuse in children can help curb violent tendencies before they escalate to
include violence against people.
Are there any
laws or policies addressing the connection between animal abuse and other
violence?
Several states have
cross-reporting laws, which require social workers, veterinarians, or doctors
who encounter suspected child abuse to report it. In San Diego, Calif., social
workers must report suspected cases of animal abuse to animal control officials.
At least 13 states
have laws allowing courts to include pets in temporary restraining orders (TROs)
in domestic violence situations.
At least 28 states
have counseling provisions in their animal cruelty laws. Four of these states
require psychological counseling for anyone convicted of animal cruelty, and six
mandate counseling for juveniles convicted of animal cruelty.
What can I do to
help?
You can help stop
the cycle of violence by recognizing that animal abuse is an indicator of
serious problems. Reporting animal abuse can help authorities stop other types
of violence, and vice versa. Encouraging local law enforcement and prosecutors
to take crimes against animals seriously is the key to creating safer
communities.
Animal cruelty in
children should not be taken lightly. Children who abuse animals shoud receive
immediate professional psychological intervention for both their own welfare and
that of the community. (References removed)
Read more:
Los Angeles steps up enforcement
of animal cruelty laws; the animal cruelty & human violence link; Port Hardy
case; no justice by the courts, convicted animal abusers-Canada
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