Animal Abuse as an Indicator of Domestic Violence: One Health, One Welfare Approach

Abstract

For years now, the importance of animal cruelty has been gaining recognition in the industrialized cities of the West. Animal cruelty encompasses any act that causes a non-human animal unnecessary pain or suffering, including negligence, abandonment, abuse, torture, bestiality, and even theriocide. This represents a red flag for society as a whole because people who commit such acts can escalate violence and direct it to other individuals. Animal cruelty and interpersonal violence—as well as other socially undesirable conduct such as bullying, antisocial personality disorder, rape, and serial murder—are closely related, so timely diagnoses of either one can help prevent acts of aggression. It is necessary, therefore, to analyze and try to understand whether there are early indicators that may help identify potentially violent individuals. It is well known that kids from homes with actual violence in their homes show a high tendency to reproduce such behaviors with both animals and other people. In conclusion, much research and rethinking of the importance of the veterinarian in detecting animal abuse and cruelty is needed to help detect and prevent cases of interpersonal violence that may arise over time.

Factors regarding the dog owner’s household situation, antisocial behaviours, animal views and animal treatment in a population of dogs confiscated after biting humans and/ or other animals

“…‘Zeitgeist’ in the more recent time frame may have elicited more observation and registration of for instance animal welfare factors. Argumentation is in human-domain professionals being alerted to animal abuse and neglect, as science has pointed out how violence towards humans and animals may be linked increasingly in past years [ 58 – 61 ]. Also, the field of veterinary forensics seemingly has developed further in recent years, with more interdisciplinary links between this and other forensic disciplines [ 62 – 64 ].…”

“…towards humans and animals may be linked increasingly in past years [58][59][60][61]. Also, the field of veterinary forensics seemingly has developed further in recent years, with more interdisciplinary links between this and other forensic disciplines [62][63][64].…”

The Impact of the Social Determinants of Human Health on Companion Animal Welfare

“…While a person’s social and community life with their companion animal extends beyond family, especially violent family situations, it has been well established throughout the literature that there is a link between domestic violence and animal abuse [ 47 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 ]. However, the challenge presented to most survivors of domestic violence is their ability to leave their home and take their companion animal(s) with them [ 47 ].…”

The Welfare of Fighting Dogs: Wounds, Neurobiology of Pain, Legal Aspects and the Potential Role of the Veterinary Profession

“…More recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began to track any act of animal cruelty, including fighting, as a felony alongside arson, burglary, assault, and homicide [ 110 ]. Particularly, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) recognizes that animal cruelty can be a precursor to other offenses or interpersonal violence; therefore, the participation of these associations responds to animal and social welfare [ 110 , 111 ]. Although some programs in the U.S. encourage the rehabilitation of these animals, the cost and complexity of the process ends with euthanasia in most cases [ 112 ].…”