FACT: Research confirms a strong correlation between violence against animals and violence toward humans. It is now widely recognized that perpetrators of violent behavior are more likely to have participated in violent acts against both children and animals, and that the seeds of their behavior were planted in early childhood -- often being passed down through similar behavior by a parent or other significant adult.
Some of the most striking evidence for a link between animal cruelty and human violence lies in the case histories of many of the 20th century's most infamous criminals.
Mass-murderer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer killed neighbors' pets and impaled a dog's head on a stick.
Patrick Sherril, who murdered 14 co-workers and then killed himself, stole pets, then tied them up and allowed his own dog to mutilate them.
David Berkowitz, the so-called "Son of Sam," shot his neighbor's labrador retriever.
Albert DeSalvo, the "Boston Strangler," shot arrows into boxes of trapped cats and dogs.
Brenda Spencer, who fired 40 shots into a crowd of children, murdering 2 and wounding 9, had a history of setting the tails of neighborhood cats and dogs on fire.
Edmund Emil Kemper III, who murdered his mother and 7 other women, used to abuse cats and dogs.
Carol Edmund Cole, who murdered 35 people, admitted that his first violent act was strangling a puppy.
Richard Allen Davis, kidnapper and murderer, doused cats with gasoline and set them on fire.
Studies of prison inmates reveal that as many as 75% of violent offenders had early records of animal cruelty. There is also a high correlation between family violence and animal cruelty. A study in 1983 of New Jersey families referred to youth and family services for reasons of child abuse reported that 88% of cases had at least one member of the household who physically abused animals. An English researcher found that 83% of families reported for animal abuse also had children listed at high risk of abuse or neglect.
In 1997 Boston's Northeastern University and the MSPCA did a study that found 70% of all animal abusers have committed at least 1 other crime and that 40% had committed violent crimes against humans.
Studies also found that a history of animal abuse was found in 25% of male criminals, 30% of convicted child molesters, 36% of domestic violence cases and 46% of homicide cases.
30% of convicted child molesters and 48% of convicted rapists admitted animal cruelty in their childhood.
In 2000, 7% of animal cruelty cases involved child abuse. The perpetrators either abused the children or force them to witness the cruelty to animals. 13% of the animal cruelty cases involved domestic abuse. And 1% of animal cruelty cases involved elder abuse.
Pets may be used as a means to establish dominance. Abusers may send the message "I can do this to the pet and I can do it to you," or "If you don't do as I say, then this will happen to you." Pets are also used as a means of control: "If you don't do this, I'll hurt your animal.
" Pets are a way of buying silence from children, too: "If you tell anyone, then I'll hurt your dog!"
Why do batterers threaten, abuse, or kill animals?
To demonstrate and confirm power and control over the family.
To isolate the victim and children.
To eliminate competition for attention.
To force the family to keep violence a secret.
To teach submission.
To retaliate for acts of independence and self-determination.
To perpetuate the context of terror.
To prevent the victim from leaving or coerce her/him to return.
To punish the victim for leaving.
To degrade the victim through involvement in the abuse.
Why should we recognize animal abuse as a form of battering?
Animal abuse exposes the deliberateness of battering rather than loss of control.
Animal abuse and child abuse are closely related.
Animal abuse is often a tool used by batterers to emotionally control or coerce victims.
Threatening, injuring, or killing animals can indicate the potential for increased violence or lethality.
Victims may postpone leaving out of fear for their pets' safety.
Identifying animal abusers can help identify other victims of violence within the family.
What can victims of domestic violence do to protect their companion animals?
Develop an emergency plan for sheltering the pets, themselves, and their children (Review a copy of the First Strike® planning guide, Making the Connection: Protecting Your Pet From Domestic Violence)
Establish ownership of the pets (obtain an animal license, proof of vaccinations or veterinary receipts in victim's name to help prove they own the pets).
Prepare the pets for departure (collect vaccination and medical records, collar and identification, medication, bowls, bedding, etc.).
Ask for assistance from law enforcement or animal care and control officers to reclaim the pets if left behind.
Parents, community leaders, prosecutors, judges, and others concerned with violence in communities are coming to recognize the importance of animal cruelty as an indicator of disturbed family relationships and future aggressive behavior towards humans.
Posted by:
One Voice
With the words of Immanuel Kant:
"He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.
"
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