Animal abuse and human abuse are connected in several different ways. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet and almost all see their pet as a family member. (Conversation, AWI) Protecting their companion animals is a strong desire for pet-owning abuse victims and can, unfortunately, be used against them by their abusers. Pets are also often an important factor that victims of domestic violence have to consider when planning for their safety and thinking about leaving an abuser. This post will explore the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence and discuss safety planning and legal considerations when pets are involved.
Pet Abuse & Neglect
Pet abuse can manifest in many ways. Abusers may shove, hit, kick, burn, injure with weapons, or otherwise physically harm animals. They may be aggressive toward them or yell at them excessively. Abusers may keep pets confined in small, dark, or unsanitary places or cages, or force them to remain outside without adequate weather protection. They may also withhold food, water, or medications, refuse them veterinary care, or otherwise neglect their wellbeing. Some abusers may either actively kill pets or cause their death through neglect. Like intimate partner violence, animal abuse often escalates over time. Animal cruelty is a felony crime in all 50 states.
“The Link” Between Animal Cruelty & Domestic Violence
Domestic violence and animal abuse often overlap, and research shows cruelty to animals is both an indicator and a predictive factor of intimate partner abuse and child abuse. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident but is often a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe. This species-spanning interconnectedness of different forms of violence is commonly known as “The Link”. (Sage, NLC, Springer)
Abuse to both humans and animals in the household is very common. Studies indicate that between 70% and 89% of survivors who had a companion animal during an abusive relationship reported that their abusers not only hurt them, but also threatened, injured, or killed their pet(s). A 1997 study found that animal abusers are five times as likely to also harm humans (ALDF). Additionally, intimate partner violence that occurs with animal cruelty frequently involves more serious violence than other cases. Per a 2017 study, women who report that their partner mistreated their pets were themselves at significantly greater risk of more frequent and severe forms of domestic violence, most specifically psychological, physical, and sexual abuse.
A 1983 study notes that animal abuse was found in 88% of homes in which physical child abuse was being investigated. If a child is cruel to animals, research shows this may be an indicator that serious abuse or neglect has been inflicted on the child. Unfortunately, animal abuse can also be a predictor. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), children who witness animal abuse are at greater risk of becoming abusers themselves. The National Link Coalition (NLC) explains that impressionable children who witness or perpetrate abuse become desensitized to violence and lose the ability to empathize with victims.
An increase in state and federal legislation and policies related to animal abuse have been enacted, in part, because of the growing body of evidence on “The Link”. Knowledge of the link also has influenced a number of court cases deciding parental rights. (Sage) At least four states (Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Oregon) specifically list a history of animal cruelty as one reason an extreme-risk protection order (allowing the temporary removal of firearms from a dangerous situation) could be issued. (Conversation)
Pet Abuse as Domestic Violence
Not only does animal abuse correlate with human abuse, but it can also be used as a tool of domestic violence, when an abuser hurts or threatens to hurt a victim’s pet in order to hurt, control, and/or manipulate their human victim. Oftentimes, animal abuse is a way to establish power over a human victim and deprive them of the comfort pets provide. Pet abuse is also a form of intimidation that is frequently included on power and control wheels, tools used by domestic violence advocates to explain how most abusers attempt to control their victims. Criminologist Lynn Addington and psychologist Mary Lou Randour analyzed FBI data on intimate partner violence that occurred alongside animal cruelty. In such cases, they found that almost 85% of animal cruelty involved intentional cruelty rather than neglect. They concluded this indicates that abusers are “weaponizing” violence against pets to control their partner. A 1999 study found that 87% of incidents of pet abuse by domestic abusers are committed in the presence of their victims for the purpose of revenge or control.
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), studies have shown that domestic abusers threaten or harm pets not only to exert power and coercive control, but as part of a pattern of emotional and psychological abuse. They may abuse pets to force victims to “follow the rules”, to show them what would happen to them if they disobeyed or left, or to punish victims/survivors for acting against the abusers’ wishes. Other reasons for animal cruelty include exerting financial control over victims, isolating victims, and attempting to prevent victims from leaving or to punish them for doing so. Abusers may hurt pets because they are jealous of the victim/survivor’s relationship with the pet, and some see it as a way to abuse victims without risking a domestic violence conviction.
55% of domestic violence victims and their children report that their pets are very important sources of emotional support. (NCADV) Violence toward pets may thus be especially devastating and viewed as another form of family violence. Witnessing animal abuse compounds victims’ trauma and often causes guilt, stress, anxiety, and anger. Children who witness co-occurring domestic violence and animal abuse exhibit more emotional and behavior problems than children who witness domestic violence without animal abuse. Victims of intimate partner violence regularly cite fear for the safety of their pet as a primary reason they do not leave an abusive situation. It is also a major reason survivors may return to an abuser after leaving, because their abuser is essentially holding their pet hostage. (NCADV)
Safety Planning
Safety planning is a term that refers to actively thinking about ways to increase one’s safety, preparing the best ways to react to certain situations, and putting things in place that may help one in the future, whether one chooses to stay or leave an abusive situation. Pets are often an important part of victims’ safety plans, both in attempting to minimize harm to the animal(s) and in considering how to care for pets if the victim decides to leave the abuser. Many victims create an emergency kit of important and necessary items that is ready to grab should they need to leave in a hurry. Pet-owning victims may want to include their animal’s food and medication, collar/leash/ID tags, and copies of the pet’s medical and vaccine records in their emergency kits. Being aware of their pet’s favorite hiding spots can help them locate the animals quickly in a crisis.
Ensuring licenses and microchip data are in the victim’s name (and not their abuser’s name, if possible) and that there is no information associated with these records that could help abusers locate victims or pets may be vital precautions should victims choose to leave with their pet(s). Researching options for pet-friendly places to stay or separate places to house pets should they choose to leave is another key aspect of safety planning. If others will be caring for a survivor’s pet(s), having a pre-made information sheet about the pet(s), including their feeding schedule, any medical conditions, likes/dislikes, and special considerations can come in handy.
Leaving with Pets
Most pet-owning survivors who choose to leave their abusers want to take their pet(s) with them. Pets left behind may be further abused themselves and/or be used as tools to abuse or manipulate human victims from afar. Fear that an abuser may hurt a pet results in 25 to 50 percent of victims delaying leaving an abuser. Victims may stay with an abusive partner up to two years longer because they don’t want to leave their pets behind and are unable to take them with them. Up to 40% of domestic violence victims remain in abusive relationships because they cannot find alternative living situations for their pets. A survey of survivors found that 65% of respondents reported that concerns about their pets’ safety impacted their decision to enter a shelter, with 88% of these reporting they delayed seeking shelter as a result. 52% of pet owners in shelters are, unfortunately, forced to leave their pets with their abusers. (NCADV)
Currently, it’s estimated that only about 15 percent of domestic violence shelters accept pets, but this number is increasing. The nonprofit RedRover has made it their goal to help 25 percent of domestic violence shelters in the US become pet-welcoming by the end of 2025. Some pet-friendly shelters have on-site boarding facilities, and some even let pets stay with a survivor in their room. Other shelters work in partnership with a local animal shelter that will foster pets until the survivor can find a more permanent living situation. Most shelters that welcome common pets like dogs and cats can also help survivors arrange housing for larger and less-common pets like horses, farm animals, fish, lizards, and snakes (DomesticShelters).
If a pet-friendly shelter or other accommodation is not an option, survivors leaving an abuser can ask a friend or family member if they are able to care for their pet(s), at least temporarily. It may be important for the survivor and their loved one to consider if the abuser would look for the pet in the loved one’s care and what they might do to the pet or the loved one if they did discover the animal’s whereabouts. Doggy daycares or other boarding facilities may be good temporary options, though they can be expensive. Veterinarians are often good resources who may be able to provide boarding, recommend a boarding facility, or know of someone who can foster pets temporarily. Again, any veterinarians, doggy daycares, or boarding facilities that the abuser knows about may not be the best options and seeking out new facilities may be safer. If survivors are initially forced to leave their pet(s) with an abuser to increase their own safety, law enforcement officers or animal control officers may be able to accompany them to retrieve the animal(s) and/or intervene in other ways to remove the pet from the abuser.
Legal Pet Protections
Beyond what survivors can do on a personal level, there are several different types of laws in place to help protect pets and minimize animal abuse. All 50 states now have some form of felony animal cruelty laws. However, specific legal animal protections vary quite a bit from state to state. DVSN’s home state of Massachusetts is ranked 4th in the country for the extent of its animal protection laws by the Animal Defense Legal Fund, which assessed all statutes and ranked US states and territories based on 20 categories of legal protections. In 2019, the federal Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture or PACT Act was passed, making animal cruelty a federal felony. Under the PACT Act, a person can be prosecuted for crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, or impaling animals or sexually exploiting them. Those convicted will face federal felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison.
Also at the federal level, the Pet and Women Safety or PAWS Act was signed into law as part of the 2018 federal Farm Bill. This bill expanded existing federal domestic violence protections to include pets and authorized $3 million a year in grants for emergency and transitional housing assistance for survivors with pets (DomesticShelters). “[The PAWS Act] will also make protective orders that include pets… extend across state lines,” said Rep. Katherine M. Clark of Massachusetts, one of the bill’s sponsors. Clark further explained that the PAWS Act adds a provision to the federal stalking law that includes threatening of pets as a form of stalking and ensures vet bills are a part of federal crime victim compensation.
At the time of this writing, 40 states (including Massachusetts) plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all have laws that permit pets to be included on restraining orders. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, even if a state does not have a pet protection order statute, a survivor can include incidents of pet abuse or threats of pet abuse in their restraining order application and request that the court include the animal(s) in the order. Survivors can also petition the court to assist with removing the pet safely from a home where an abuser is located.
Pet Custody
Whether or not they were able to take pets with them when leaving, survivors who separate from abusers may face issues with legal custody of their pets. Abusers may fight to keep the animals even if they don’t really want them as a way to continue to control and harass the survivor. Especially when abusers are owners or co-owners of the animal(s), it can be challenging for survivors to be awarded custody. Courts may want to see proof that the survivor was the original owner of the pet, such as adoption or purchase records, microchip data, or pedigree paperwork in the survivor’s name.
If survivors are not the legal owner or sole owner of the pet(s), there is precedent that could still allow them to be granted custody. In 2013, in Travis v. Murray, the court recognized that pets really aren’t just property. If the judge recognizes the emotional attachment to the pet, the key issues become not who legally owns the animal(s) but who bore the bulk of responsibility for their care, who spent the most time with them, and who kept the pet(s) after the separation. The more evidence survivors can bring to the table showing they are the best caregiver for the pet(s), the better in the eyes of a judge. Receipts in their name for veterinary care, grooming, training classes, food, and other items purchased for pets could be helpful. Additionally, witnesses (such as neighbors, friends, and veterinarians) can testify that they saw that the survivor was the one who provided consistent care for and interacted most with the pet (such as walking a dog, feeding and/or playing with the animal(s), or taking them to the vet). If there were witnesses to the abuser harming or neglecting the pet(s), testimony from them can also help the survivor be granted custody.
Hidden Constructive Impacts
With all the horrors of pet abuse and its connections to domestic violence, there are some less-obvious ways that responses to pet abuse can have a constructive impact on everyone in the household. Victims are often reluctant to talk about abuse that has been directed at them, but they may be more comfortable talking about abuse of their pets, which can then break the ice about discussing their own abuse. Neighbors are also more likely to report suspected animal abuse than child welfare, domestic violence, or elder abuse cases. Humane societies, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) organizations, or animal services agencies investigating these reports can sometimes act as “first responders”, an initial point of social-services contact for a family in crisis, which can lead to additional assistance from domestic violence and child welfare organizations. (NLC)
In another correlation, abusers who harm pets are more likely to face consequences than those who harm only humans. Nearly two-thirds of intimate partner violence incidents involving animal cruelty ended with an arrest, as compared with just over half of intimate partner violence occurring with another crime. Researchers suggest this could be because intimate partner violence victims may be more likely to demand an arrest if their pet is harmed or threatened. (Conversation)
Trauma & Healing
Sadly, another consideration that survivors may need to keep in mind is the effect trauma can have on their pet(s). Pets need plenty of time and space to heal, just as human survivors do. It’s not abnormal for a pet to hide for a few days or weeks after being removed from an abusive situation until they come to trust they are safe again. Interacting with them as calmly as possible is a good idea to help this process. Other things that may assist pets to recover from anxiety include lots of exercise, physical contact, massage, and calming coats/shirts, which act like baby swaddles. Isolation in a comfortable, quiet space with low light and playing soft, calming music can help create an atmosphere where animals feel safe and alleviate noise sensitivity. (CCSPCA)
On the other end of the spectrum, for humans, research shows that keeping pets with a survivor can have trauma-healing benefits. Interacting with animals raises levels of oxytocin (the “feel-good” hormone that lowers anxiety level and heart rate) in the human body and has positive effects on PTSD and depression (DomesticShelters). In these ways, animal and human victims of abuse can help restore each other.
Resources
Safe Havens for Pets – search by zip code or state for shelters that provide space for pets or which help find emergency boarding or fostering
DomesticShelters.org – search for shelters by zip code and then filter for those that welcome pets
RedRover – provides grants to survivors needing emergency boarding or veterinary care for their pets
Adopt-a-Pet Rehoming Tool – for survivors who feel they are unable to continue caring for a pet but don’t want to leave the animal(s) with their abuser, this site helps safely connect them with individuals looking to adopt pets. Staff review posts to create a second layer of safety, such as preventing breeder sales.
Network for Pets of Domestic Violence Victims – information for veterinarians, domestic violence shelters, animal shelters and foster programs, and for individuals interested in helping
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