Vets told: Look out for cruelty to people

VETS are being urged to look for signs that those people asking them to treat their injured pets might be the victims of domestic abuse.

The new initiative follows research by police and social services departments suggesting that in a fifth of households where pets suffer cruelty, there is also a high risk of domestic abuse.

Leaflets will soon appear in surgeries across the UK encouraging vets to tip off police if they fear that a child or vulnerable adult is being subjected to abuse.

The campaign is backed by the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers. Antonia Litten, the charity’s eastern region manager, said: ‘A lot of domestic abusers will use an animal to help control their victim, saying they will hurt it if the victim does not comply.

‘They might also hurt the animal and say that the victim will be the one to be hurt next.’

The advice has been compiled by the British Veterinary Association’s charitable arm, The Animal Welfare Foundation, and The Links Group, which promotes the welfare of animals, children and adults at risk of abuse.

Vet Freda Scott-Park urged her colleagues to be alert to the possibility that a person abusing a pet might also be abusing a person in their household.

Vets should consider encouraging potential victims to open up by asking them questions such as: ‘Sometimes when I see injuries like this, it means the animal has been hurt by someone they live with. Is this possible?’

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: ‘Any campaign which urges vets to look out for non-accidental injuries has to be welcomed, and if that helps create awareness of wider possible domestic violence in the home, then we are pleased to lend our support.’