Module 3.2 Flashcards
Definition of The Link
The known association between cruelty to animals and violence towards humans.
When was animal cruelty recognized in relation to welfare? Ex: horses and carriages
1800s
When was animal cruelty recognized in association with violence towards humans? Ex: serial killers
1970s
When did people start researching the Link?
1980s
In what percentage of homes with child abuse investigation was animal abuse found in?
88%
What did the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeastern University find in 1997?
Animal abusers are 5x as likely to harm other humans as well
2003 study found
Up to 76% of animal cruelty occurs in front of children in homes (leads to trauma)
2009 study found…
Child who witnesses animal cruelty is 8 times more likely to become a perpetrator
2013 study
43% of people that committed school massacres also committed prior acts of animal cruelty
2017 study
89% of women with companion animals in an abusive relationship reported harm, threats, or killing of pets by partner
Animal cruelty is a predictor of what?
Other crimes that may be happening simultaneously, or future crimes that may be committed
What association is made between children that show cruelty towards animals?
They have sustained or witnessed abuse themselves
Women in domestic violence shelters do what?
Delay escape for fear of their animals. Animals are used as tools in violent relationships
Hobbs 2020
Simultaneous abuse of partner and animals
2 deceased cats, 1 live (Hobbs)
Confined in a garage with pellet wounds and recorded abuse to show to victim that was also being abused
Defendant adopted several cats that went missing/died in a short time period
Charges: 3 counts aggravated animal abuse in first degree, 1 count animal abuse in first degree, 2 counts in second degree, 20 other DV crimes
Pled/sentence: guilty, animal abuse 1, strangulation, assault, sexual abuse 2, meth delivery; 70mo prison and restitution costs for 3 cats
Separated and charged separately for animal crimes vs other crimes-could not be definitively related
In 2016, what did the FBI begin?
Tracking animal crime SEPARATELY in National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
All 50 states have what?
At least 1 felony animal cruelty law since 2021
Domestic violence protection orders
~2/3 of all states allow animal inclusivity
Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act
December 29, 2018 as part of 2018 Farm Bill. Establishes a grant program that provides shelter and housing assistance to DV survivors to meet housing needs of survivors w pets. Includes pets, service and ESA, and horses in federal law pertaining to interstate stalking, protection order violations, and restitution
Veterinarians and The Link
May be only window into home
Vets, dentists, and hairdressers-3 professions most likely to encounter abused women
Recognizing and reporting-early intervention
Understand and communicate seriousness of animal crime
Piper 2014
Skin and bones dog
Oregon humane society interviewed Os
Confined to 2x2ft section of apartment
Taken to OHS
Muscle atrophy, fat loss, anemia, pressure wounds
Hungry and thirsty
4 children in house w eldest being small, nonverbal with developmental disabilities (RED FLAG)
Reported to DHS-removed for med eval—> foster care
Father: failure to thrive in his care, failure to establish medical care, failure to meet nutritional needs, developmental needs/educational needs, and medical needs
Piper: 40 days-+16lbs
Kid: 40 days- +13lbs
Criminal cases for piper and child, and dependency case for child-guilty of animal neglect in 2nd degree
The veterinarian
6 abuse cases/1000 patients
Less than 8% felt adequately trained
Less than 40% understood rights
Only 55.8% of private practitioners reported cases when 87% encountered cases
33.3% of US vet schools had no formal training, other 2/3 varying degrees
Next?
Improve animal crime laws and consequences
Increase education, evaluate impacts
Mona 2018
Death of pet due to DV
Owner was victim
