Abuse Toward Animals Have Examined The Extent Of Animal Cruelty In Cases Of Family Violence

Abuse toward animals and people go hand in hand, according to a yearlong, national study conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Although other studies have examined the extent of animal cruelty in cases of family violence, the HSUS study is the first to examine the prevalence of human violence in animal abuse cases. Among the findings are that a high percentage of male teenagers commit intentional cruel acts against animals, and a large number of animal cruelty cases also involve some form of family violence.

HSUS compiled information from 1,624 animal cruelty cases around the country that occurred during 2000. Almost a quarter of all cases of intentional animal cruelty involved the following forms of family violence:

Domestic violence (13 percent)
Child abuse (7 percent)
Elder abuse (1 percent).
"You don't have to be an animal lover to see that animal cruelty is a warning sign that an individual could be involved in other violent crimes and could pose a risk to family members as well as the larger community," said Claire Ponder, HSUS's First Strike educational campaign Manager. "Our best hope for preventing violence against both animals and people is early identification and intervention with violent perpetrators."

In cases of child abuse, perpetrators often abuse animals to exert their power and control over children and other vulnerable family members. In some cases, abusers will force children to sexually abuse, hurt, or kill a pet. Threats of animal abuse will often intimidate children to keep silent about being abused themselves.

As awareness about the connection between animal abuse and family violence has increased, animal cruelty laws are being strengthened. For example, thirty-one States and the District of Columbia have adopted felony-level animal anti-cruelty laws. Several States have also passed laws mandating psychological evaluation and counseling for convicted animal abusers. Five States—Florida, Virginia, Arizona, South Carolina, and Massachusetts—have introduced bills this year that mandate cross-reporting between animal control officers and child protective services.