Animal abuse is a global issue most people are inclined to ignore. We don’t wonder of its origin or of its consequences, and surely don't relate it to domestic violence at home. However, psychological researchers have recently documented case studies, that in fact show a relationship between domestic violence and the abuse of animals. Researchers questioned a load of battered women as to what extent would you go to protect your pets? Statistically, a quarter to about half of abuse victims are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets once they leave. Research indicates that intentional cruelty on animals correlates back to not only domestic abuse but also other crimes as well social or mental health dilemmas.
1. ATTENTION GETTER: Millions of animals are abused each year. Over a million of these animals are abused or killed just due to the involvement with domestic violence. Despite animal cruelty being a felony which can result in jail time for over 15 years and 500,000 dollars in fines, it is still an issue which occurs on a daily basis across the United States. It is important for these animals to not go unnoticed, which can be achieved if society became more enlightened and educated on the topic of animal cruelty. (Pacelle, 2011).
Throughout time people have integrated pets into their families and have viewed them as valued members of their families. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals, more commonly known through its acronym the ASPCA, “approximately 44% of all households in the United States have a dog, and 35% have a cat”("Pet Statistics."). Despite these animals having a home, many face neglect and abuse. The Humane Society released an advertisement successfully addressing the correlation between households with domestic violence and animal abuse present. The advertisement by the Humane Society effectively does this through the melancholic imagery and deep-seated message it conveys. The effectiveness of their advertisement can be discerned by analyzing its ethical, emotional, and rational appeal.
While there is a common belief that Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence are two separate issues, but, upon closer investigation proves there is a prominent correlation between the two. Despite the whether you believe animals and humans should be given equivalent attention remains a debated subject.
The American Humane Association, whom since 1877 has aimed to protect children, pets, and farm animals from abuse and neglect, also gives insight to the correlation between animal cruelty and domestic violence. According to them, 71% of women, who owned pets, entered women’s shelters reported that their abuser had either injured, maimed, killed, or threatened the family’s pets as an act of revenge or in order to control their victims psychologically. Also, 68% of
The origin of the association between animal abuse and domestic violence remains unclear as do the factors that make the connection. This connection between the cruelties could be better understood in a larger context of the human-animal bond. “The evidence demonstrating the importance of the human-animal bond in human functioning and well-being will make the strong relationship that many battered women have with their pets understandable” (Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty). Animals are a part of the home environment of humans. The bond shared between women and their pets make it possible for abusers to control women by abusing their pets. “The link between animal abuse and women
It seems like nowadays nearly everyone in society knows something about the abuse. If not, abuse is a somatic or physiological form of harm. It also seems that more and more people are getting concerned about animal abuse, and promptly because of that, there are more foundations to help rescue animals, and nurture them back to health. However, animals around the globe are still not getting rescued and are getting abused. In order to be fully acquainted about animal abuse, the common types of animal abuse, and the causes of animal abuse must all be explored, as well as the ways to prohibit the occurrence of animal abuse. Animals have rights, those in which are being violated. Animals can not defend themselves, so America needs to defend animal
Reports on the abuse and exploitation of animals have led to the increasing sensitivity of animal rights. Additionally, there have been studies that demonstrate a correlation between individuals who commit acts of animal cruelty and those who commit acts that involve humanity. In a domestic environment, individuals who perpetrate incidents of animal cruelty typically do so in order to establish authority, power, and control. This counterintuitively reduces the offender and witness’s capability to empathize. Children may limit their benevolence for a pet because they cannot handle the overwhelming empathy they feel when the pet is injured. Once their capacity to empathize is exhausted, they begin to imitate the abusive actions
Studies on pet abuse and woman-battering have consistently demonstrated the central role of gender, power, and control in male violence toward both women and animals.1-4, 6-10, 14, 15 When a batterer also harms the family pet, it exposes the blatant intentionality of his efforts to control his partner. No longer can he claim that he “just lost control.”
Animals are an important and valued part of many families and cultures. In many households, animals are considered members of the family, receive Christmas and birthday presents, and are cared for just as a human child would be. Opposition to animal cruelty has even become a sort of universal value in American culture(Kordzek 604). But animals are uniquely vulnerable to abuse, and despite this they still do not receive much needed protection from the law. The penalties for animal cruelty are not frequently severe enough to even deter one from harming an animal. This is dangerous not only for animals, but for human beings too. Animal cruelty and domestic violence have been proven to correlate in countless ways, and recognizing animal cruelty as a serious criminal offense and a form of domestic violence would serve to protect both animals and human beings from needless acts of violence. Instituting stiffer criminal penalties for animal cruelty and increasing the protective measures for victims of abuse is necessary to further the protection of both animals and human beings.
Often times, people think of animals as another member of their family. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Every year, there are nearly one million animals getting abused and suffering at the hands of human beings. Animal cruelty occurs when someone harms or ignores an animal purposely. “The most common types of abuse are neglect, hoarding, shooting, fighting, beating, etc” (Humane Advocate N.p.). There have been cases in which justice has been served, such as the case of Michael Vick. Sadly, there are many cases in which justice is not fully served. However, there are organizations that are committed to helping these innocent animals such as Peta, to end animal cruelty. Based on studies and animal shelters, it is evident that animal
Each year, the most extreme cases of animal abuse receive media attention. Yet, the animal cruelty problem is more widespread than is reported in the media. Animal abuse and neglect is a nationwide issue, affecting thousands of animals nationwide. Cruelty to animals is defined as the infliction of physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, beyond what is necessary. There is a need to stop abusers from acting in such a horrific manner–preventing the neglect and suffering of the animals. What causes animal abusers to act in such a cruel way towards animals? How are cases of animal abuse being managed, and how should cases be handled? Finally, does the status of animals in society contribute to the rate of their abuse?
Animal Abuse is a widespread subject people hear about all the time but never think twice as if it relates to violence in the home as well. Researchers have documented case studies proving the direct relationship between domestic violence and abuse of animals. In a Wisconsin study, it showed that 68 percent of women who had lived with abusive partners, the pets were also abused. The ethic of caring for animals also applies to the same ethic of caring for your own. The psychological link is the abuser trying to ensure control and enforce submission of the family whilst creating a fearful environment for both the animal and the victims. A case study in Texas proved batterers who also abused pets had
The article Pet-Abuse and National Link Coalition that I read, presented me with a great deal of insight about domestic violence, I can also say I discovered a new comparison on the reasons why people commit domestic violence. Every community and state should be compelled to come together and converse about domestic violence; so that people will take this act of violence seriously. If we could put an end the pet-abuse in the adolescence stage of life, this could decrease other crimes that relate to more violent abuse as adults. A person who commits domestic violence most likely abused their pets at a young age, which cause most people to do domestic violence when they become older. In addition, suspects who do this want to feel more controlling
71% of pet-owning women entering women’s shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control victims; 32% reported their children had hurt or killed animals. 68% of battered women reported violence towards their animals. 87% of these incidents occurred in the presence of the women, and 75% in the presence of the children, to psychologically control and coerce them. 13% of intentional animal abuse cases involve domestic violence.Between 25% and 40% of battered women are unable to escape abusive situations because they worry about what will happen to their pets or livestock should they leave. Pets may suffer unexplained injuries, health problems, permanent disabilities
Growing up, most kids wanted a pet. They wanted a dog, cat, fish, lizard, hamster, or even a bird. Many parents saw this as a way to help teach their children responsibility. However, some parents failed to teach their child how to treat and take care of their pet. Due to the lack of knowledge of how to properly take care of and treat a pet, many pets have ended up abused and, in worst cases, dead. Most people think that dog abuse is just beating their dog or putting them in a dog fight. Indiana has laws against abandonment, neglect, and physical abuse of dogs, but some owners need to realize that these laws are being broken by acts of unintentional abuse and since most acts of abuse are unintentional there needs to be a way to educate people.