Image Credit: Animal Cruelty Org.

According to The Dunn County News Online, "Until recently, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse were considered unrelated to violence toward animals. However, a growing body of scholarship suggests that individuals who perpetrate acts of cruelty against animals rarely stop there. Animal abuse can be a warning sign of serious violent behavior in the future.The Bridge to Hope has served four victims of domestic violence who have witnessed the murders of their family pets in the last four weeks alone. The trend of animal abuse accompanying domestic violence adds to the terror of abuse."

According to the >American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), pets are part of the family in about 75 percent of American households. American Humane notes that more American households have pets than have children.

It’s interesting to see domestic violence and animal cruelty in correlation. People have an emotional tie to animals, just like humans are emotionally tied to one another. Statistics show that 70% of women who experience domestic violence, report witnessing the murder their household pets.

Victims and Animals are not the only one’s in jeporady when experiencing domestic violence, children witness a large amount of domestic abuse situations.

According to American Humane, children are present in the vast majority of houses where animals are present. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) reports that more than 80 percent of families being treated for child abuse were also involved in animal abuse. In about two-thirds of the cases, the abusive parent killed or injured the pet. In one-third of the cases, a child victim continued the cycle of violence by abusing a pet.

Why are animals being abused? How is that correlated with Domestic Abuse Against Humans?

Animals are seen as easy targets. They are vulnerable and trusting of their owners. As are women, when they become trusting and vulnerable to their partner. Abuse is about control.

According to The Dunn County News Online, “It’s more than that. Pets often serve as the only friend or valued relationship that a human victim has. Abusers recognize this, and target such pets to further emotionally devastate and isolate their human victims.”

"Image Credit: Photobucket"

What can we do as a society to stop abuse towards animals and women?

My thoughts…

Realizing signs is a major indicator of preventing domestic violence from occuring. Humane Society and Domestic Abuse Hotline have teamed up create lists that give “red flag” indicators that someone is on their way to be an abuser, both against animals and women.

Click Here for List

For more information about the correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence, please click here.

For more information on the article about Wisconsin Increase in Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty, click here.

What do you think?