It is conventional wisdom that animal abuse precedes human violence. In reality, the two are often co-occurring and interwoven. Domestic abusers may harm or threaten animals to exert power over their human victims, to show what might happen to them, and to prevent victims from leaving or speaking about their abuse.

When understood as part of a dynamic of violence, animal abuse cases present an opportunity to intervene and break the cycle. Domestic violence victims are generally reluctant to speak to outsiders about their abuse, but may more easily talk about what has happened to their pets. Likewise, outsiders will more readily report animal cruelty than suspicions of domestic violence. Since animal abuse is often the ‘tip of the iceberg’ for family violence, criminal behaviour and substance abuse, animal agencies have the opportunity to serve as first responders for families in crisis.

It is evident that if a man practices a pitiful affection for animals, he is all the more disposed to take pity on his fellow men.
– St Thomas Aquinas

When people are violent and cruel towards animals, everyone is at risk.

In recognition of the link between cruelty to animals and the abuse of women, children and the elderly, the FBI in the USA has been tracking cases of animal abuse independently since 2016. 

Here’s what the research shows

• 70% of animal abusers have criminal records.
• 50% of schoolyard shooters have histories of animal cruelty.
• 82% of offenders arrested for animal abuse had prior arrests for battery or drug charges.
• 70% of people charged with cruelty to animals were known by police for other violent acts.
• Animal abuse is a better predictor of sexual assault than convictions for homicide, arson, or firearms. Animal cruelty offenders committed an average of four different types of criminal offences with sexual assault, domestic violence and firearm offences figuring prominently in their criminal histories.
• 76% of animal abusers also abuse a family member according to the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
• In a 2001 study by the US Humane Society, two-thirds of animal abuse cases also involved abuse of a child.
• Children exposed to domestic violence were three times more likely to be cruel to animals.
• One-third of battered women reported that their children had hurt or killed animals.
• In one-third of families investigated for child abuse, the children had also abused animals.
• Children who were sexually abused were five times more likely to abuse animals.
• Up to three-quarters of animal cruelty happens in the home occurs in front of children. Witnessing animal cruelty as a child was found to be the single biggest predictor of future violence, making children 8 times more likely to be violent.
• A study of battered women found that nearly three-quarters reported that their abuser had hurt or threatened to hurt a pet; more than half said he had actually done it.
• An assessment used by US law enforcement lists the top three indicators that a woman is in danger of being killed by her abuser as:

1. Gestures/threats of homicide/suicide.
2. Access to weapons.
3. Threats to hurt or kill pets.

What can be done?

• Recognise that animals feel fear, pain, hunger, thirst, cold and loneliness – like all sentient beings.
• Teach this to children. Teach them to be kind to animals, to care for and respect them.
• If you’re a professional dealing with domestic violence victims, do ask about the companion animals to gauge the level of threat.
• Children tend to speak easily about their pets, which provides an opportunity for intervention.
• Veterinarians must report suspected cases of animal abuse to the relevant authorities.
• Report ALL forms of violence and abuse before they escalate.
• Insist on the enforcement of laws that protect animals. Be willing to get involved in the legal proceedings.
• Get affected family members AND THEIR PETS out of harm’s way.
• Domestic violence shelters must help with housing or finding shelter for pets.
• Include companion animals in protection/restraining orders.
• Report cruelty, abuse and neglect of animals to an SPCA near you. And call the police. If possible, take photographs/videos as evidence.