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Pet abuse, an indicator of other violence
Contributed by: Ann Carter on 3/26/2008

In families and relationships where abuse is present, the often unmentioned victim is the family pet.

Yet despite its frequent omission from the larger dialogue concerning domestic violence, a correlation has been established both statistically and anecdotally between pet abuse and intimate abuse.

In a 1997 study surveying 50 of the largest emergency shelters for women and children fleeing domestic violence, a staggering 85% of women and 63% of children disclosed incidents of pet abuse perpetuated by their abuser. A separate study conducted in 1983 outlined a strong correlation between child and animal abuse, stating that in 88% of pet-owning homes where child abuse had occurred, animal abuse and/or neglect was also present.

Domestic violence is rooted in the abuser's need to control their partner and children, and can manifest in both physical and emotional abuse. Threatening to harm or actually harming their victim's pet is another means for an abusive person to exert control, and can occur as a means of coercion and/or as a form of retaliation and punishment against the victim.

Fear for the safety of one's pet can dissuade a woman from seeking shelter from a program that is unequipped in housing animals, which then allows for the abuse against all members of the family to potentially escalate.

The implications of pet abuse in regards to both the lethality of an abuser and whether or not a victim leaves the home are vital to those working in domestic violence programs. Exploring the incidents of animal abuse with a survivor in shelter can assist in both processing trauma and identifying the sheer danger their abuser poses. Including the welfare of a pet in safety planning can also increase a woman's chances of both leaving and not returning to a violent home.

Addressing the existence of animal abuse can also serve as an intervention in ending the cycle of domestic violence, as children who have witnessed animal abuse are at higher risk to abuse others once they reach adulthood. Identifying that such abuse was present while the victim is still a child, and working to stop it, can help to lower the risk that a child will continue in the tradition of abuse.

In addressing this issue, The Women's Crisis and Family Outreach Center has an established relationship with The Buddy Center, the Dumb Friends League Animal Shelter in Castle Rock, through which pets of Shelter clients are fostered.

Although they are still of the minority, shelters throughout the United States have taken it one step further and implemented programs in which the pets of clients accompany their owners to shelter, where they are often housed in kennels.

As more domestic violence programs begin to address the correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence, more women, children and animals will have the chance to live a life free of abuse.

Sources:

1. www.americanhumane.org

2. "The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence"; Ascione, Weber, Wood; 1997.


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Showing 1 of 1 comments
Submitted By: Barbara Neff
posted on 3/28/2008 @ 5:16:57 PM
Rated Story
A violent, manipulative person desperate to control others in the household could easily instill an element of fear within the home by first harming defenseless animals. A "you-will-be-next-if" sort of message could be sent. Thank you for this valuable information.
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Ann Carter

Castle Rock , CO

Ann Carter has posted 130 stories and 0 comments since joining on 10/3/2006. Ann Carter 's average story rating is 4.9.
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