A Qualitative Study of Children’s Accounts of Cruelty to Animals: Uncovering the Roles of Trauma, Exposure to Violence, and Attachment

Abstract

Childhood animal cruelty (CAC) is a risk for later interpersonal violence and a red flag for other forms of violence in the household, yet very few studies have spoken to children directly about their cruelty to animals. Animal Guardians (AG) is a humane education program run by the Scottish SPCA for children of age 5 to 12 years who have been cruel to animals or deemed at-risk. This research investigated how children referred to AG spoke about their experiences of animal cruelty and factors surrounding it. Research consent was obtained for 10 children (average age = 8.8 years, n = 9 males), referred concerning cruel/at-risk behavior toward their pets. The interview schedule combined techniques such as crafts, vignettes, open questions, and standardized measures. Interviews were qualitatively analyzed using content analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Content analysis suggested that referred children (a) tended to have small attachment networks which often included pets, (b) tended to interpret ambiguous situations predominately negatively, (c) tended to like animals and see them as sentient, and (d) struggled admitting to cruelty. Three main superordinate themes emerged from the IPA: (a) Bonding to animals, (b) Exposure to/normalization of violence, and (c) Signs of emotional issues/trauma. Children who were referred for animal cruelty toward their pets were from vulnerable backgrounds, often had complex backdrops to their at-risk or cruel behavior, and sometimes had trouble regulating their emotions and behaviors. Programs hoping to address CAC should be aware of these complex emotional, psychological, and behavioral factors, tailoring interventions accordingly.

Veterinarians’ experiences of treating cases of animal abuse: An online questionnaire study

“…These included ‘lack of explanation’, ‘suspicious behaviour’, ‘changing story’, ‘recurring patterns’ and concerns about a particular person, high ‘pet turnover’ and violence in the home. These findings are also reported in other studies 1,7,9,10 and emphasise the link between animal abuse and family violence 19–22 . The most commonly suspected perpetrator was an adult male, but in 10 cases, it was a child/adolescent.…”

“…These findings are also reported in other studies 1,7,9,10 and emphasise the link between animal abuse and family violence. [19][20][21][22] The most commonly suspected perpetrator was an adult male, but in 10 cases, it was a child/adolescent. In terms of reporting, only 98 cases were not reported, with the majority being reported to the practice manager or a welfare organisation.…”

‘She has saved my life on many occasions’: Care-experienced young women’s reflections on the significance of pets and the impact of loss

“…This is no different for care-experienced children (Coram Voice, 2020;Selwyn and Briheim-Crookall, 2022;Winter, 2010;Wood and Selwyn, 2017). Indeed, emotional bonds with a pet may be even stronger when human relationships have been compromised (Lass-Hennemann et al, 2022;Wanser et al, 2019;Wauthier, Scottish SPCA and Williams, 2022). There is growing recognition, for example, that pets may be particularly important, and relationships more profound, for isolated older people (Whipple, 2021).…”

On-Site Inspection Form in Veterinary Cases: The Parma Veterinary Form

“…Authors believe that a close collaboration between human and veterinary forensic medicine professionals can strengthen awareness of the theory of interspecies violence known as “The Link”. The use of shared tools and a common nomenclature will contribute to this [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The on-site inspection sheets here exposed represent a continuity with the work produced in 2021 by Cecchi and colleagues [ 37 ].…”