Research studies have shown that there is a correlation between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. When animals in a home are abused or neglected, it is a warning sign that others in the household may not be safe. In addition, children who witness animal abuse are at a greater risk of becoming abusers themselves. Here is a story about animal abuse and how serious it is.
 

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence

Millie was shaking and cowering in the corner of the room as a Animal Control officer approached the house. "Take this dog," said her owner. "We don't need it anymore." Millie whimpered as the officer gently lifted her. Millie was skin and bones and had an open wound. Sadness overcame the officer as he moved to leave.

A young, crying boy suddenly appeared. "Please take care of her," the boy said. My father did not mean to hurt her. It was my fault. I shouldn't have been so bad." As Millie turned to lick the boy's hand, the father screamed, "Get in the house now." The boy lowered his head, turned and walked away.

This sad story is not uncommon. Each day thousands of animals are victims of abuse. But when animal abuse occurs the animal is often not the only victim. Animal abuse is one step in the cycle of domestic violence and it does not stand-alone. Many studies have shown a clear connection between animal abuse and other forms of family violence. If there is an animal in a home where child, spousal, or elder abuse occurs, you will often find animal abuse and vice-versa.

In one study that looked at violent criminals, a significantly higher rate of aggressive criminals had a history of animal abuse. Another study held in 1983 showed that 60% of families, who met the New Jersey State criterion for child abuse, also abused or neglected the family pet. And, in a 1997 study that surveyed 38 women seeking refuge from an abusive relationship, 71% reported having a pet that was threatened or harmed by their batterer.

Animal abuse should be taken seriously, as it is often an indicator that something else is going on in the home or with the individual. Many convicted serial killers have had animal abuse in their background. The infamous Jeffrey Dahmer impaled frogs and cats on sticks as a youngster. Theodore Bundy was linked to graveyards filled with animal bones.

More recently, many of the youngsters involved in school shootings have also had histories of animal abuse. Luke Woodham, age 16, who shot his mother and killed two classmates wrote in his journal that he had beat, burned and tortured the family dog, Sparkle, to death. He described the experience as "true beauty." Kip Kinkel of Oregon, age 15, who opened fire on his classmates in his Oregon high school often bragged of torturing animals. If someone would have reported that animal abuse was occurring, an intervention might have been possible.

Cruelty to animals takes on different forms in the context of family violence.

• Parents will kill a beloved family pet in front of the family to punish a child.
• Parents will threaten to harm an animal in order to secure silence of physical or sexual abuse.
• Batterers force partners to have sex with an animal or threaten an animal to punish their partner.
• Adult victims of domestic violence will prolong leaving an abusive relationship due to fear of harm to the family pet.
• Children identify with their abusers and begin to abuse an animal because it is a weaker victim than they are.

There are many things you can do to help create a non-violent community.

• Become aware of the signs of cruelty. Lack of food and water, lack of veterinary care for illness or injury, severe matting or filth, poor body condition, lack of sanitation, abandonment, ingrown collars around neck, tied or caged animals without room to move around, burns, trauma, poisoning, mutilation and animal fighting.
   
• Take all forms of abuse seriously. In the state of Arizona, intentional acts of animal cruelty is a felony.

•  If you know of a person who is being abusive, report it! If you know the person refer him to a professional for counseling. If you are a person who is preparing to leave an abusive situation consider the following:
  a) If your pet is being harmed you may be in danger.
  b) Protect your pet by having an emergency plan. Do not leave your animal behind if you decide to leave your home. Contact the Humane Society's Project Safe House Program.
• c) Prepare a case with your pets personal items (medical records, leash, license, medications, carrier, etc.) so you can have it if you need to leave in an emergency
  d) Make sure your animal is up to date on vaccinations and is wearing an ID tag or license if it is a dog. Establish ownership of the animal in your name.