Cameron 1

Emma Cameron
Professor Christie Bogle
English 1010
April 18, 2016
Animal Abuse
Animal abuse in the United States is a bigger problem than most U.S. citizens realize.
The media doesnt report on all animal abuse because it is so common. More and more laws are
being put into place to try to combat animal abuse but it still happens all the time, whether it be
intentional animal abuse acts (beating) or failure to act (neglect, not feeding, not providing
shelter) (McDonald). A lot of people also dont realize the links between animal abuse and
domestic violence or even child abuse (Febres). Many of the people who commit animal abuse
crimes often abuse their loved ones as well or go on to commit crimes like murder and arson.
(Animal Abuse Gaining National Attention and Focus). Animal abuse needs to be stopped before
it gets worse.
From the perspective of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, animal abuse needs to be
eliminated and cracked down on because of its like to other crimes against humanity.
Studies have shown that many serial killers and other people who have commit horrendous
crimes against society started with abusing their pets. (Animal Abuse Gaining National Attention
and Focus.) By classifying animal abuse as a crime against humanity the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, or FBI for short, hope to stop other types of crimes from happening, such as
murder, arson, and assault. The hope is to be able to lock up criminals for animal abuse charges

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before they begin to commit the other types of crimes against people. Because of the new
classification, the crimes against animals will be tracked better by both local and federal
officials. (Animal Abuse Gaining National Attention and Focus)
A lot of people dont realize just how much domestic/intimate partner violence and
animal abuse are linked. Studies have shown that 75% of women who were victims on intimate
partner violence reported that their pets had also been harmed or threatened by the abuser
(Febres) The women whose partners abused their pets experienced more frequent and severe
types of abuse (Febres). Women who are being abused often will delay going to a shelter and
getting help or they will come back to the abuser because of fear of what might happen to their
animal. Women whose partners had reportedly abused animals were 7.6 times more likely to
become victims of intimate partner violence (Febres).
Animal abuse is sometimes used as a form of domestic violence. Abusers exploit the
bond shared between the victim and his or her animal. Because victims of domestic abuse are
often isolated from friends and family, that makes their bond with their pets even greater.
Therefore they abuse the animal in order to hurt the human victim on a more emotional level.
Abusers might threaten the animal in order to gain control or compliance (Upadhya). The
concern for an animal will often times cause the human victim to stay in the unhealthy home or
relationship. In these situations the human victim is the intended target of the animal abuse
although the animal may be the only one suffering from physical abuse (Upadhya).
A 1998 study that took place at a domestic violence shelter in Utah found that of the
women that had animals, 71% said that their male partner had harmed or threatened to harm the
animal, 57% reported that the harm or death of the animal had actually occurred (Upadhya).

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Other studies had come up with similar rates. These studies show just how much of a correlations
there really is between domestic abuse and animal abuse.
Animals also experience other types of abuse when living in a household where there is
domestic violence. They often get hurt by trying to protect the victim. They also often have
extreme anxiety due to witnessing the victim being attacked. Victims have stated that they
usually go to the animal immediately after an attack both for support and to calm down the
animal (Upadhya). Domestic violence and animal abuse often go hand in hand.
Another perspective is the concerns about children in households where animal abuse
occurs. This is an extremely valid concern, not only for the sake of todays children but also for
future generations. Animal abuse and child abuse are very similar and often times connected. If
you are cruel to animals, which are dependent, weaker, then it makes sense that it crosses over
(to children). We are trying to have as many eyes as possible looking at the children and the
animals. (Bass). A 1997 survey of some of the largest womens shelters found that 85% of
women and 63% of children entering the shelters discussed incidents of pet abuse.
Studies have also found that children who witness animal abuse or partake in it at a
young age are more likely to commit violent crimes when they are older (Animal Abuse Gaining
National Attention and Focus). This is another important reason to report animal abuse and make
it a serious crime.
As for lawmakers, they are in the process of doing more to help crack down on animal
abuse. Bills are now being introduced that will help link the two types of abuse and hopefully
eliminate them both. Diana Urban introduced a bill that would require animal control officers to
report calls they receive about animal abuse to the Department of Agriculture, who would then

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send a monthly reports to the Department of Children and Families or DCF for short. If the
names on the list sent from the Department of Agriculture show up in the list of the DCFs active
investigations, the DCF will send out a social worker for a mandatory visit (Bass). This bill
would hopefully make it so that abusers are caught before they start abusing their children. It
does more to protect both animals and children and find the people who are committing these
crimes.
Many people dont realize the severity of animal abuse, not only because of what it does
to the animals but also because of the awful crimes it is associated with. It often goes hand in
hand with domestic violence as well as child abuse. A lot of serial killers and people who commit
other horrendous crimes start by abusing animals. Animal abuse escalates to many serious crimes
and therefore it should be stopped before it gets any worse. Not only for the sake of animals, but
for humanity as well.

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Works Cited
Hunt, Ariana. "Animal Abuse a Problem in County." Recorder: 1. May 02 2008.ProQuest. Web.
20 Apr. 2016 .

"Animal Abuse Gaining National Attention and Focus." The Taos NewsJul 13 2015.ProQuest.
Web. 19 Apr. 2016 .

Bass, Elissa. "Urban Bill Aimed at Strengthening State's Ability to Protect both Children and
Animals: Animal Control Personnel would Add More 'Eyes' to Abuse-Reporting System."
McClatchy - Tribune Business NewsMar 09 2010.ProQuest. Web. 19 Apr. 2016 .

McDonald, Janet A. "Defending Those Who Cannot Speak: Civil And Criminal Prosecution Of
Animal Abuse." Florida Bar Journal 88.9 (2014): 30-32. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Apr.
2016.

UPADHYA, VIVEK. "The Abuse Of Animals As A Method Of Domestic Violence: The Need
For Criminalization." Emory Law Journal 63.5 (2014): 1163-1209. Academic Search Premier.
Web. 19 Apr. 2016.

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Febres, Jeniimarie, et al. "Adulthood Animal Abuse Among Men Arrested For Domestic
Violence." Violence Against Women 20.9 (2014): 1059-1077. Academic Search Premier. Web.
15 Apr. 2016.