The Linkage of Animal Abuse with Interpersonal Violence

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Piper
Author(s):  
Caleb E. Trentham ◽  
Christopher Hensley ◽  
Christina Policastro

In the early 1960s, researchers began to examine the potential link between childhood animal cruelty and future interpersonal violence. Findings since then have been inconsistent in establishing a relationship between the two. This may be due to researchers failing to measure the recurrency of childhood animal abuse and the recurrency of later violent acts committed in adulthood. The current study, using data from 257 inmates at a medium-security prison in a Southern state, is a replication of research conducted by Tallichet and Hensley, and Hensley, Tallichet, and Dutkiewicz, which examined this recurrency issue. The only statistically significant predictor of recurrent adult interpersonal violence in this study was recurrent childhood animal cruelty. Inmates who engaged in recurrent childhood animal cruelty were more likely to commit recurrent adult interpersonal violence. Respondents’ race, education, and childhood residence were not significant predictors of the outcome variable.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverly McEwen

Animals are amongst the most vulnerable of all sentient beings. Animal neglect and abuse may involve a single animal and one person, or hundreds of animals and many people. Animals and people are victims of the same types of fatal injury and severe neglect; however, the anatomy and physiology of different animal species and even breeds of animals are a unique challenge for veterinary pathologists. Identifying and describing external lesions of blunt force trauma and projectile wounds requires that the entire skin be reflected from the animal because fur and feathers partially or totally mask the injuries. Because quadrupeds or birds may react differently to the same traumatic force applied to bipedal humans, extrapolating from medical forensic pathology must be done with caution. Animal abuse, however, does not occur in a vacuum. An established link exists between animal abuse, interpersonal violence, and other serious crimes. Using examples, this paper describes specific injuries in abused and neglected animals in the context of domestic violence, interpersonal violence, mental illness, and drug addiction. Medical examiners should be aware that animal abuse affects not only the animal, but individuals, families, and society as a whole.


2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Herzog ◽  
Arnold Arluke

Recent findings in anthrozoology – the study of human–animal interactions – shed light on psychological and social aspects of cruelty. Here we briefly discuss four areas that connect animal cruelty and cruelty directed toward humans: (1) voices of perpetrators and their audiences, (2) gender differences in cruelty, (3) cruelty as play, and (4) the putative relationship between animal abuse and interpersonal violence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 368-377

Sexual contact between humans and animals is known from early times, but the prevalence remains unknown. Research on individuals who have sexual contact with animals has largely been conducted on individuals who are incarcerated or who are recruited from the internet and who consider themselves zoophiles. This paper is a synopsis of some of the available literature from the perspectives of law, veterinary science and psychology. Whether human beings who conduct sexual acts with animals are at increased risk of interpersonal violence is discussed. Some claim that zoophilia may be a sexual orientation and that sexual contact should be tolerated as long as the animal does not suffer. Others stress that sexual contact with animals is always wrong because it involves coercion, violates the rights of others, and because the animal cannot provide genuine consent or report abuse. This lack of consent is paramount to current psychiatric classifications of zoophilia. Reporting of animal abuse is one of the exceptions to health professionals’ duty of confidentiality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 910-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lockwood ◽  
P. Arkow

Author(s):  
Angus Nurse ◽  
Tanya Wyatt

This chapter explores the links between non-human animal abuse and interpersonal violence with a specific focus on the extent to which harm caused to wildlife may be an indicator of violent tendencies and a predictor of future violence. Experts estimate that from 48 percent to 71 percent of battered women have pets who also have been abused or killed and the link between domestic animal abuse and human violence is widely recognised by scholars and law enforcement professionals. This chapter focuses on the violence inherent in hunting and poaching. The chapter speculates as to the link concerning violence towards wildlife and the extent to which wild animal abuse can indicate a propensity or inclination towards other forms of violence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
AVIVA VINCENT ◽  
SHELBY MCDONALD ◽  
BETHANIE POE ◽  
VICKI DEISNER

In 2018, more homes in the US have pets than those that have children. Though pets are regarded as property by US law, a majority of people identify pets as part of the family unit. Animal abuse and cruelty have been identified as a potential indicator and precursor to interpersonal violence (IPV). Moreover, child maltreatment, domestic violence, elder abuse, and animal abuse co-occur in households and communities link together to indicate the nexus of these heinous crimes; these co-occurring forms of violence have been increasingly referred to as The Link, to indicate the linked violence. However, there is an incongruence in the definition of animal abuse and cruelty; thus, documenting cases, bringing charges, and achieving a conviction is difficult. Furthermore, the initial education to learn of these topics in human service professions, such as social work, remains absent from many curricula. In practice, cross-reporting of suspected abuse or neglect is a vital mechanism for connecting human and animal professionals to address the issues between human and animal welfare systems. This sharing of information can increase the likelihood that clients experiencing IPV will receive comprehensive services that can improve their level of safety and quality of life. By providing professionals with education for indicators of abuse, and strategies for how to make a report, communities can build stronger support networks for those in need. Herein, Ohio legislation and current community efforts serve as a case study to define animal abuse, delineate transdisciplinary factors for relevance, and make recommendations for addressing this vital social welfare need. The strategies within this case-study are encouraged to be adapted and applied nationally and internationally.


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