Domestic violence often includes abuse of pets

T he American family has always included pets. More American households have pets than have children and a child growing up in the U.S. is more likely to have a pet than a live-at-home father.

The role of pets in human affairs has been analyzed and celebrated. James Herriott said that “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” And Edith Wharton described her little dog as “a heartbeat at my feet.” Mark Twain famously said: “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.”

And none other than Albert Einstein spoke against man harming animals when he said: “If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals.”

In recent years, a strong correlation between animal abuse and family violence has been established. Child and animal protection professionals have recognized this link. Domestic violence has been declared a serious health emergency in this country, of epidemic proportions, affecting women and men and child victims — and yes — also their beloved family pets. As integral members of the family, pets

are sources of comfort providing strong emotional support and are often entwined in the trauma of domestic violence that engulfs the family.

The investigation of animal cruelty is often the first point of social services intervention for a family suffering with domestic violence.

Over 70 percent of pet owning victims entering domestic violence safe shelters report that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened the family’s pets for revenge or to psychologically control them. Disturbed children also kill or harm animals to emulate their parents’ conduct. Exposing children

to animal cruelty can desensitize them against all forms of violence and harm their ability to empathize with victims. The abuse becomes cyclical and inter-generational.

Many domestic violence victims are unable to escape their abusers because they are concerned about what will happen to their pets when they leave and because many shelters cannot accommodate their pets. As a result, they remain in unsafe situations. Battered victims have been known to live in their cars for months with their pets until they are able to find an opening at a pet-friendly shelter.

The link between violence against humans and animals is clear. Abusers of animals are five times more likely to harm humans. Abusers batter animals to demonstrate their power and control over the family; to perpetuate an environment of fear and terror; to prevent their victims from leaving or to coerce them to return; to isolate the victim and children; and to punish the victim for leaving or showing independence.

Law enforcement, social service agencies, educators, human and animal health professionals are recognizing animal abuse as a significant factor in domestic violence in families in their laws, protocols and screening procedures. Connecticut law has recognized this by including pets for protection within the purview of the restraining order statute.

In our community, Safe Futures is working on an initiative called “Protect our Pets.” Safe Futures is raising funds to pilot a program that will help people leaving an abusive situation find a safe place for their pets. The program will provide clients with temporary, confidential shelter for their animals for a period of time while the victim transitions to safety.

Sheila Horvitz chairs the Power of Purple Campaign — An End to Domestic Violence. She lives in Colchester.