Last date edited
12/17/07
Domestic Violence/Companion Animals
A few facts about domestic violence and companion animals.
What animal abuse can mean in domestic violence cases.
Safety planning and your pet.
Resources for Sheltering Your Pet
A Few Facts About Domestic Violence and Companion Animals
Animal Abuse is fairly common
Workers at 85% of shelters involved in a 48 state study, conducted by Frank Ascione (a Psychology Professor at Utah State University), had encountered victims who reported animal abuse by their abusers. It was also found that animal abuse had taken place in 44% of the cases.
Lenore Walker conducted a study and found 41% of victims interviewed had been forced to participate in sex acts with animals. In a 1995 study of 38 women seeking shelter in Utah, 52% (71% of those with animals) reported animal abuse/threats and 57% of those women reported the abuser had hurt or killed the animal. Ascione's 1995 study found 18% of women with animals said they delayed leaving because they were concerned about their animals.
- In a 1991 study of 355 domestic violence victims, authors Adele Harrell & Barbara Smith found that 20% of abusers had either harmed or threatened their partner’s pets in retaliation for the victim’s request for a Protective Order.
- In another survey conducted in 1995 by Phil Arkow, editor of “Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse Linking the Circles of Compassion for Prevention and Intervention,” found that among the 72 domestic violence victims surveyed, 86% owned animals as pets, and 80% of their abusers had also battered the victims’ pets.
- In 1993, Colorado Springs Center for Prevention of Domestic Violence also conducted a survey which found that 24% of 122 women seeking shelter and 11% of 1175 women seeking restraining orders had also reported animal abuse by their batterers.
Sometimes People Delay Leaving due to Concern About a Pet’s Safety
A 1995 study in Utah by Frank Ascione found that of the 38 women seeking shelter, 57% reported that their abusers had actually killed the animal, and that 18% of the women delayed leaving their abuser because of concern for their pets’ safety.
A 1998 follow up study by Mr. Ascione found that of 101 battered women, 70% said that their abusers had threatened or actually harmed their pets, 54% reported that their abuser actually killed their pets and that 25% delayed leaving their abusers because of concern for their pets’ safety.
What Animal Abuse Can Mean In Domestic Violence Cases
- Harm to the person - Abusers sometimes threaten harm to a pet to induce a woman to stay, as a means of punishing the victim for leaving, or as a means of coercing the victim to come back. An abuser may threaten to harm the animal, actually harm the animal, and then warn the victim that she may end up being hurt in the same way.
Animal abuse can be an indicator that a victim may be in a lethal situation. An abuser’s actions towards a pet may be a sign for what harm may befall the victim. If the abuser actually ends the pet’s life, it may signal that the abuser is willing to of inflict severe, and perhaps lethal, harm to the victim.
- Harm to the Animal - Sometimes overlooked is the animal’s welfare. The abuser’s threats sometimes lead to actual physical harm to the animal.
- Importance of Companion Animals to Domestic Violence Victims - Some may become especially attached to their pets, especially women who are isolated from social contact by their abusers. Pets offer companionship and may also be integral parts of children’s lives. Pets may also aid in the victim’s long term healing.
- Impact on the decision to act in self-defense - A victim may more readily react in self-defense if she knows that her abuser has the capability of causing similar harm to her as was inflicted on her pet.
Talking To a Counselor Or Attorney About Animal Abuse
An advocate should ask whether you have any pets, and if so, have your abusers threatened or harmed the pet(s). Advocates should also ask whether the pets require emergency shelter if you are planning on leaving your abuser.
Why should you talk about any abuse of your pet?
Good advocates will recognize the link between abuse (or threats of abuse) to a pet and abuse of a human. It is important to discuss these issues of pet abuse, because usually something can be done to protect your pet and descriptions of threats or actual abuse to a pet will help your advocate understand the “full picture” of your individual situation.
Safety Planning And Your Pet
Walking the dog
A daily walk can be used as a way to look at the layout of your
neighborhood and to plan a possible escape route.
A walk can also be used as an excuse to leave the house when you sense that a volatile situation is about to erupt.
Create a Safety Plan that Includes Your Pet
If you are planning on staying...
- Keep emergency provisions for your pet in case your abuser withholds money.
- Keep the phone number of the nearest 24 hour emergency veterinary clinic
- Establish ownership of your pet by creating a paper trail (e.g., obtain a license, have veterinarian records put in your name).
If you are planning to leave...
- Obtain safe emergency shelter for pet, somewhere that won't be disclosed to your abuser (e.g., veterinarian, friend, family, etc.)
- Pack a bag for your pet that includes:
- food
- medicine
- documents of ownership (receipts, vet records, license to establish ownership, receipts for animal purchases)
- lease
- carrier
- toys
- bedding
(If you must leave without your pet, remember to leave enough food, fresh bedding, litter, etc. for your pet.)
If you have left...
- Keep pets indoors (if possible)
- Don't let the pet outside alone
- Pick a safe route and time to walk your pet
- Don't exercise/walk pet alone
- Change your veterinarian
Resources for Sheltering Your Pet
You may also want to
arrange (in advance) for a place that will shelter both you and your pet.
Some domestic violence service providers can help you find Domestic Violence Service Provider or you can search the resources listed here.
General Information
- Humane Society of the United States - First Strike Campaign www.hsus.org
- For more information about pet abuse and how to protect your pet call.
- 301-258-3076 or 1-888-213-0956
- William Snyder Foundation for Animals - www.snyderanimals.org
- Doris Day Animal League - www.ddal.org
- Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - www.psyeta.org
In Maryland -
- House of Ruth, 410-889-0840, for information and help as well as referrals to organizations that can take pets for up to six weeks.
- Southern Maryland Animal Shelter Contact: Kim or John Mubb, 800-963-1992. They provide services to people in St. Marys, Charles, Calvert, and Prince George’s Counties.
- Tri-County Animal Shelter Contact: Nicole Wilson, 301-932-1713. You can find sheltering services here if you live in Charles, St. Marys, and Calvert counties.
- TurnAround, Baltimore County Area Contact: Shelly Terranova, 410-377-8111. “Safe Homes, Safe Pets” is the program you should ask about. They will find a safe home for your pet for up to seven days in an emergency situation. If you are calling after hours, you can call 410-828-6390. For more information, visit their website.
- Washington County SPCA Contact: Nicole Wilson, 301-733-2060. Their animal emergency number is 240-3313-2910. They will provide protection, shelter, and care for your pet.
- In Anne Arundel County (Annapolis area) Contact: Tahiru Thomas, 410-222-8900. The Millersville Animal Control recently created a larger facility while has enabled pets to stay for longer periods of time (until there is no longer a threat to their safety.) Animal Control officers in this area work closely with the police department and are trained to look for domestic violence.
- Frederick County Animal Control Contact: Penny Moner 301-694-1546. They are located at 1832 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21702. No referral is required. They will allow pets to stay up to 30 days. There are no specified types of pets that are eligible for shelter.
The following five centers will accept referrals from Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence
Queen Anne Animal Control
Talbot County Humane Society
Dorchester County Humane Society
Caroline County Humane Society
Kent County Humane Society
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