The Link Between Childhood Abuse and Animal Abuse

Since the 1970s, researchers have consistently found a strong correlation between animal cruelty and other violent behavior, including child abuse. Ongoing research continues to indicate that authorities must take animal cruelty seriously, particularly in terms of its connection with other forms of violent behavior.

Animal and Child Abuse

• The U.K.'s National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children defines child abuse as action or behavior that causes significant harm to an individual younger than 18. Significant harm may include impairment to the child's emotional, physical or mental health as a result of neglect or abuse. The organization defines animal abuse as the intentional harming of an animal through pain, injury, distress or neglect, or killing the animal.

Red Flag

• According to the American Humane Society, it is highly likely that children are being abused in homes with reported animal cruelty. Animal abuse by a child may indicate that the child has witnessed similar behavior in adults or that the child has been abused. Animal control officials are strongly encouraged to be on the lookout for possible child abuse or other domestic violence in homes with animal cruelty reports.

Used as a Threat

• Perpetrators of domestic violence, including child abusers, often use threats or violence to maintain control over animals. According to the American Humane Association, more than 70 percent of domestic violence victims who enter shelters report that their pets have been harmed or threatened by their abusers. Seventy-five percent of these incidents took place in the presence of children.

Indicator of Future Violence

• Animal cruelty is a strong indicator of future violent behavior. According to Kinship Circle, an animal advocacy group, 40 percent of individuals who have been convicted of child abuse admit that they also have abused animals. The FBI considers animal cruelty to be one of four indicators of potential violence toward children and women. According to the Animal Law Coalition, 100 percent of perpetrators of sexual homicides had abused animals in the past. Therefore, law enforcement officers, social workers or others who suspect abuse of animals should report their suspicions to the proper authorities.