The Link Between Interpersonal Violence and Animal Abuse

Abstract

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.

Human–Animal Relationships and Social Work: Opportunities Beyond the Veterinary Environment

“…While social work has long focused exclusively on the human members of society, companion animals are widely present in a majority of U.S. households and can represent highly significant emotional attachments and logistical challenges for their owners. More homes in the U.S. are said to have companion animals than have children (Vincent, McDonald, Poe, & Deisner, 2019 ). 99% of dog owners and 96% of cat owners view pets as either members of the family or close companions (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2018 ).…”

Pet ownership issues encountered by geriatric professionals: Preliminary findings from an interdisciplinary sample

“…The act or threat of physical abuse on a companion animal to control a person is documented in the literature on domestic and interpersonal violence ( Vincent et al, 2020 ). The findings of this study add to the limited evidence that perpetrators of elder abuse may use their victims pets’ as a tool to manipulate and exert control over their victims ( Boat and Knight, 2000 ).…”

Directions in Veterinary Social Work

“…Social workers are encouraged to report concerns for family systems, including animal members, in locales that have established reporting mechanisms. Ideally, a systems infrastructure should allow and encourage cross-reporting across multiple domains, e.g., social services, law enforcement, and facilitate collaboration between humane agents, social welfare and animal welfare systems, law enforcement, veterinary care personnel, and allied human service professionals (Vincent et al, 2019).…”