Battered Pets and Domestic Violence

Abstract

Women residing at domestic violence shelters (S group) were nearly 11 times more likely to report that their partner had hurt or killed pets than a comparison group of women who said they had not experienced intimate violence (NS group). Reports of threatened harm to pets were more than 4 times higher for the S group. Using the Conflict Tactics Scale, the authors demonstrated that severe physical violence was a significant predictor of pet abuse. The vast majority of shelter women described being emotionally close to their pets and distraught by the abuse family pets experienced. Children were often exposed to pet abuse, and most reported being distressed by these experiences. A substantial minority of S-group women reported that their concern for their pets' welfare prevented them from seeking shelter sooner. This seemed truer for women without children, who may have had stronger pet attachments. This obstacle to seeking safety should be addressed by domestic violence agencies.

Adulthood Animal Abuse Among Men Arrested for Domestic Violence

“…In addition, the finding that the perpetration of adulthood animal abuse trended towards a significant association with particular types of IPV lends support for the idea that by knowing whether they have a history of perpetrating adulthood animal abuse, a better understanding of the IPV some men perpetrate could be obtained (Ascione et al, 2007). Accordingly, screening for adulthood animal abuse in men mandated to BIPs may provide more information about the nature of their aggression, in order to better tailor interventions.…”

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study to present such aims and, as such, attempts to improve upon previous studies of IPV perpetration (e.g., Ascione et al, 2007; Edwards et al, 2003; Hanson, Cadsky, Harris, & Lalonde, 1997; Simmons & Lehmann, 2007; Stith, Smith, Penn, Ward, & Tritt, 2004; Stuart et al, 2006a). …”

“…Inspired by research that shows that animal abuse can coexist with domestic violence in the same home (Ascione et al, 2007; Carlisle-Frank et al, 2004; Faver & Strand, 2003), some researchers advocate for cross-sector reporting of animal abuse and domestic violence among such groups as veterinarians, animal protection organizations, social service agencies, and law enforcement, to increase detection and intervention efforts (Becker & French, 2004; DeGue & DiLillo, 2009; Long, Long, & Kulkarni, 2007). By providing additional evidence for the relationship between both forms of aggression, this study may further encourage information sharing.…”

“…Studies also show that up to 75% of female victims of IPV who own pets report that their pets were threatened or harmed by their intimate partners (Flynn, 2011). In addition, in a study of 101 female residents of domestic violence shelters, Ascione and colleagues (2007) found residents to be 11 times more likely to report that their partners had hurt or killed the family pet compared to a control group of women who had not experienced IPV. The residents whose partners reportedly abused their pet also experienced more frequent and more severe forms of IPV.…”

“…Furthermore, the fact that up to 48% of women risk further victimization by delaying seeking shelter, some for more than 8 weeks, and/or by returning to an abusive partner out of concern that their partner may harm their pets (Ascione et al, 2007; Carlisle-Frank et al, 2004; Volant, Johnson, Gullone, & Coleman, 2008) underscores the importance of better understanding the relationship between adulthood animal abuse and IPV.…”