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Article Excerpt
Research indicates an association between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty. This article examine the virtues and limitations of creating statutory authority requiring professionals to report substantiated abuse, neglect, and cruelty across service delivery systems (e.g. child and adult protect services and humane societies). Such a legislative approach authorizes and legitimizes "mandated cross-sector reporting." The probative and research value of this type of initiative is examined as well as ethical and political considerations.
Keywords: violence, cruelty, reporting, research, practice, pets, service animals, interpersonal violence, animal cruelty
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In American culture, people often develop meaningful and sustained relationships with pets. It is not unusual for dogs, cats, and other animals to be embraced as valued members in the family unit (Barker & Barker, 1988). Many animals dwell in households and form special relationships with family members by "providing unconditional love and opportunities for affection; functioning as a confidant, playmate, and companion; and assisting in the achievement of trust, responsibility, and empathy toward others" (Fontaine, 2000, p. 390). The role that service animals play in the lives of people with disabilities highlights the reciprocal caregiving that can occur between humans and pets.
Examining the relationship between animals and humans in the context of the family constellation and interpersonal violence is a worthy endeavor. Animals represent living assets in the lives of an appreciable number of Americans. People become attached to and form social-emotional bonds with animals. Bikales (1975) describes the family pet as a "significant other" in the home.
The human-animal relationship and the role of animals in the physical and social lives of Americans constitute unique phenomenon for study. In a male-dominated society, it is the power of men over women, children, and animals that underlies many forms of violence and contributes to a shared vulnerability to abuse (Adams, 1995; Flynn, 2000a). Interpersonal violence is defined as "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another personal, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation." (Krug, Dahlberg, Mercy, Zwi, & Lozano, 2002). Interpersonal violence often occurs when people in positions of power, typically men, exert power and control over their disadvantaged counterparts (e.g. women and children).
The purpose of this article is to examine the virtues and shortcomings of mandated reporting of interpersonal violence and animal cruelty across service delivery system types, human and animal. While recognition of a relationship between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty is an important step, collaboration between service systems holds promise for better understanding violent behavior and coordination of services for families and animals.
What Does Research Tell Us?
Although mostly descriptive in nature, a growing literature developed over the past decade documents an association between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty (Arkow, 1998; Ascione, 1998; Becker & French, 2004; Flynn, 2000b; Jorgenson & Maloney, 1999; Quinlisk, 1999; Trolinger, 2001). The consensus of research findings suggests that "animal abuse often occurs in conjunction with domestic violence" (Favor & Strand, 2003, p. 243). For example, when considering three research studies examining female pet owners residing in shelters, Favor and Strand state "the percentage of women who reported that their partners had threatened or harmed their pets ranged from 46.5% to 72%" (2003, p. 239). Often, cruelty towards pets can be viewed as another tactic which an abuser uses to control his female partner. In other cases, abusers' substance abuse, lack of emotional regulation, and poor impulse control may be responsible for violence that results in everyone in the household becoming a target, including pets.
However, this body of research is not without its' limitations. For example, Favor and Strand (2003) note that these studies frequently rely upon nonprobabilistic, convenience samples of women residing in shelters or participating in domestic violence programs. Overall, we know far less about victims of interpersonal violence who do not seek formal services. It is likely that women with strong attachments to animals are further under-represented because of their reluctance take refuge in shelters where pets are prohibited (Kidd & Kidd, 1994).
Becker and French conclude that animal abuse can be viewed as a "part of the continuum of abuse in a family" (2004, p. 401). When evidence of physical abuse of family members is present in the home, there is a likelihood of animal abuse and visa versa. Abusers commit acts of violence as a means of control to coerce others to their will and ways. Children, women, and animals are particularly vulnerable as victims within the family as they are often physically weaker and frequently emotionally and materially dependent upon the abuser. Behavior intended to cause pain, suffering, or distress to a person or animal can be conceptualized as an unacceptable means to control-oriented ends.
The First Strike[R] campaign, sponsored by The Humane Society of the United States, is a community oriented program that provides practical information for increasing public and professional awareness of the connection between cruelty to animals and human violence (visit www.hsus.org)....
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