ANIMALS AND SOCIETY: AN INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN-ANIMAL STUDIESChapter 12: Violence to Animals

Copyright Margo DeMello and Columbia University Press, 2012

 When we think about violence towards animals, we tend to think about instances in which an individual has harmed, often publically and without justification, a single animal, or perhaps a group of animals.

But what we rarely think about is how prevalent violence to animals is in our own society, and how a part of our social fabric it really is. In fact, violence to animals is truly universal—it is found in every culture, and in every time period.

WHAT IS VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS?

Most violence towards animals is:

Seen as isolated incidentsPart of institutions where it is normalizedHidden from public viewEasy to ignore

WHAT IS VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS?

Most animals raised for food or clothing are born, reared, and die in the most extreme forms of confi nement. Animals used for medical experiments and product testing live often painful, lonely l ives in small cages from birth until death, as do many animals kept for entertainment.

Even those animals whom we welcome into our families suff er through the pet industry that produces them. We buy mill ions of animals as if they were furniture or clothes, keep many of them in inadequate conditions, and discard them when we grow tired of them.

About ten and a quarter bil l ion animals suff er and die in the United States every year for these purposes. But most of us never stop to think about this fact, and most would never consider it to be an example of “violence.” It is certainly not i l legal.

In fact, animal suff ering and death, when it occurs in an industry l ike agriculture, pets, or biomedicine, is not only not considered to be a form of violence, it is socially acceptable. We can call this type of violence institutional violence .

INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS

We live in a time in which people seem to care more about animals than ever before.

Yet, billions of animals suff er and die every year, and most of us are either ignorant of this reality, or choose to ignore it.

We can not only tolerate, but can essentially commission, violence in a context that is both invisible and distant.

But what we will condemn is violence to an individual animal. That’s the power of institutionalized violence: it is so well disguised that it appears invisible.

On the other hand, we very definitely notice the ways in which animals are treated in cultures that are diff erent from ours.

INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANIMALS

In addition to the institutionalized forms of violence mentioned above, every society has a number of practices that may not be fully institutionalized, but which are culturally acceptable within a particular setting.

For instance, bull fi ghting in Spain, fox hunting in England, and cock fi ghting in rural America are examples of violent activities towards animals that may not be built into the social institutions of society, but are seen as culturally acceptable, at least by a certain segment of the population.

One way to try to understand these diff erences is to look at people’s modes of l ivelihood. What is animal cruelty to one person is simply a way of making a living to another.

Sometimes, however, it is not so clear that economics lies at the heart of the ways in which we use and view animals. Often, cultural traditions demand certain types of uses which make very little sense to those outside of that culture. Dog kill ing by South East Asian immigrants is an example, as is animal sacrifi ce.

CULTURE-SPECIFIC VIOLENCE

Why are we so outraged about individual dogs, goats or chickens sacrifi ced by Hmong shamans or Santeria practitioners?

Cases like this outrage Americans not because animals are killed, since billions of animals—just like those killed in Santeria rituals—are slaughtered in the United States annually. Instead, Americans fi nd animal sacrifi ce problematic for a number of reasons:

1. because these killings are done in public (rather than hidden away in a slaughterhouse)

2. because the reasons for the killings are suspicious (many don’t consider Santeria to be a legitimate religion)

3. because the killings seem barbaric—even though most Americans don’t realize how “barbaric” the killings are in US slaughterhouses.

4. Or perhaps because the people who kill them don’t seem like “real” Americans

CULTURE-SPECIFIC VIOLENCE

Deviant violence refers to forms of violence towards animals that are unacceptable in modern society and that, typically, are criminalized. This would include the kil l ing of companion animals, or even the kil l ing of individual farm animals, when they were killed in a method not sanctioned by society or the law.

Psychologist Frank Ascione defi nes cruelty as “...socially unacceptable behavior that intentionally causes unnecessary pain, suff ering, or distress to and/or death of an animal...”

It is important to note that it’s not the behavior itself that is judged to be cruel or not; it’s whether it’s “socially unacceptable” or “unnecessary

DEVIANT VIOLENCE

Animal abuse is: The crime of inflicting physical pain, suffering or

death on an animal, usually a tame one, beyond necessity for normal discipline.

Can include neglect that is so monstrous (withholding food and water) that the animal has suffered, died or been put in imminent danger of death.

ANIMAL ABUSE

The majority of reported abuse cases are companion animals A HSUS study of high-profi le cases indicated that 57% involved

intentional cruelty, and 43% involved extreme neglect. The study revealed that the most commonly reported cruelty

off enses involved shooting, animal fi ghting, torturing, and beating.

Of neglected animals, 70 %were malnourished, and 30 % suff ered from starvation.

Of 1,880 cruelty cases reported in the media in 2007, 64.5% (1,212) involved dogs, 18% (337) involved cats, 25 %(470) involved other animals, and 7% involve horses.

Pit bulls, in particular, constitute an increasing percentage of victimized animals. In 2000 and 2001, pit bulls were the victims in 13% of reported dog abuse cases, while in 2007, pit bulls were the victims in 25% of reported dog abuse cases.

Livestock abuse cases only come to light during undercover investigations, so there’s no real way to know how many livestock are abused beyond the normal conditions of the stock yard and slaughter house.

WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

Adult and teenage males commit majority of acts

Adult and teenage males mostly abuse animals within the context of family violence

Shooting is most common method

WHO ARE THE PERPETRATORS?

A neighbor keeps his dog on a cable day and night in the backyard. As long as the dog has food, water, and shelter, this does not fall within the legal definition of cruelty.

The horse in the neighboring field stands in the wind and rain all day. As long as the horse has food, water, and a place to stand up, and can turn around and lie down in an area not covered in water, this does not fall within the legal definition of cruelty.

A neighbor is shooting cats with a pellet gun.This is at least a misdemeanor and may be charged as a felony in some states.

IS IT ABUSE?

Over the past decade, the link between animal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and domestic violence has become clearer.

Numerous studies have found violent criminals and serial killers to be common perpetrators of animal abuse.

Since abusers aim to hurt anything victims hold dear, family pets are also popular targets.

“THE LINK”

Domestic violence and child maltreatment often co-occur in the same family.

There is a strong correlation between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence.

Animal abuse is a red flag for human abuse.Violent criminals often share a common

history of brutal parental punishment and cruelty to animals.

75% of violent off enders have early records of animal cruelty.

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT

Pets are beaten or killed in order to coerce or intimidate the victim with the message, “You could be next.”

Batterers may coerce children into silence regarding sexual abuse with threats to kill pets.

Batterers engage in bestiality or force victims to engage in bestiality as a form of humiliation.

PETS AND THE FAMILY

Child Abuse and Neglect is: Physical injury Sexual maltreatment Emotional maltreatment Deprivation of necessities under circumstances indicating

the child’s welfare is harmed or threatened

Findings reveal there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that children are at risk of harm in families where animals are also abused:

Strong correlation with family violence. Harsh parenting styles link with childhood animal cruelty. Evidence of an association with child sexual abuse and

bestiality. Social learning theory and empathy.

CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL ABUSE

Currie (2003) Children exposed to domestic violence were 3 times more likely to be cruel to animals.

Ascione (1999,2003) Violent forms of childhood bestiality are highly indicative of childhood sexual abuse.

Hackett and Uprichard (2007) Children who abused animals were 3 times more likely to have witnessed coercive animal cruelty than others.

Ascione (2003) Higher rates of cruelty to animals were found in those suff ering most physical abuse (36%).

DeVinney et al (1983) 88% of families known to child protection authorities also abused animals.

Duncan et al (2005) Children who were cruel to animals were twice more likely to have been either physically or sexually abused.

CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL ABUSE

Today, “cruelty to animals” is considered by the American Psychiatric Association to be a symptom of conduct disorder, which refers to a pattern of anti-social behavior that can persist into adulthood.

Child witnesses to animal abuse are also at greater risk of becoming abusers themselves.

However, there are no laws mandating reporting animal abuse.

CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL ABUSE

On the other hand, children often intervene to protect their mothers and pets from being battered, and some children can even allow themselves to be victimized to save a pet from being harmed or killed.

The links go both ways—not only are children in households with violence at more risk of committing violence themselves, but they are at greater risk of being harmed if they live in a household in which an adult harms either another adult or an animal.

CHILD ABUSE AND ANIMAL ABUSE

Verlinden et al (2000) analysis of 10 school shootings, half of shooters had cruel animal histories.

Kellert and Felthous (1985) 25% of violent criminal sample were cruel to animals compared with 6% of non-violent criminal sample and 0% of non-criminal sample.

Ted Bundy mutilated animals as a child. Jeff rey Dahmer killed neighborhood pets, nailed

frogs on trees and impaled the heads of dogs on sticks.

Albert DeSalvo, the Boston Strangler, trapped pets in crates and then shot them with a bow and arrow.

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold (Columbine High School) both had histories of animal cruelty.

KILLERS AND ANIMAL ABUSE

Domestic Violence includes a wide variety of behaviors used by individuals to exert power and control, through fear and intimidation, over their intimate partners, former partners, or family members.

Domestic Violence or battering includes: Physical abuse Emotional abuse Psychological abuse Any other tactics employed to reinforce control over the

victim

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Power and controlIsolate victim and childEliminate competition for attentionForce victim to keep the violence a secretSubmission/ObediencePerpetuate fear/terrorPrevent independent actsPunish the victim for leavingDegrade the victim through forced

involvement

WHY DO BATTERERS THREATEN, ABUSE, OR KILL ANIMALS?

85.4% domestic violence victims and 63% of abused children reported animal abuse in the home

83.3% of shelter staff said animal abuse and domestic violence coincided

50% of all violent households that they encountered had animal abuse

Animal abuse is commonly reported by both women and their children in DV shelters

Yet few shelters ask questions about animal abuse as women enter the program (27.1%)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER SURVEY (ASCIONE ET AL. 1997)

½ of all women reported partner threatened to abuse their pet

46.3% reported actual animal physical abuse

26.8% postponed leaving because of it

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SURVEY (FAVOR AND STRAND 2003)

74% owned animals

71% of the animals were threatened by intimate partner

32% of the women said their children had hurt or killed the family pet

57% of the animals were physically hurt or killed

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SURVEY (ASCIONE 1998)

Types of animal abusephysical hitting, kicking, etcsuffocatingpoisoning throwing the pet out of moving carsnailing the animal to a door punching

Most women receiving services stated that they did delay leaving because of their pets

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SURVEY (ASCIONE ET AL. 1997)

46.5% reported animal abuse

73.2% stated animals were source of emotional support

Of all the pets, more than half were still in the possession of the perpetrators

If not, given to family members, friends, given away to shelters or abandoned

40% of women were still concerned for their pets welfare

20% women delayed leaving

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM SURVEY (FLYNN 2000)

53% engaged in abuse or neglect of animals

Of those, 90% engaged in physical abuse, 10% neglect hitting, choking, drowning, shooting, stabbing,

throwing against the wall/down the stairs as among the most common forms of abuse to their animals

35% of animals were used as scapegoats70% of abusers considered animals as property

77% of the animal abusers were reported to have had a neutral relationship with their childhood companion animal

50% of them had abused or watched the abuse of their pet when they were little

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATOR SURVEY (CARLISLE ET AL 2004A)

Perpetrators perceptions of their animals

Showed no compassion or love toward animal

Viewed as propertySignificantly diff erent outlooks regarding caring for and

loving their animals Pets as Scapegoats

29.2% pet abusing homes compared to only 1.6% non-abusers Anger and punishment

56.5% of the abusing groups took their anger out on their pet, and punished their animal a few times a week

95% of the non-abusing group proclaimed that their companion animals were hardly ever punished

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERPETRATOR SURVEY (CARLISLE ET AL. 2004B)

Children of mothers in domestic violence shelters were 20 times more likely to have witnessed animal abuse

Violent home equals more likely to abuse in later childhood

Contribute to psychological maladjustmentPropensity for interpersonal/animal abuseViolence becomes a norm88% of homes in which animal abuse was

documented also had child abuse present

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILDREN (CARLISLE ET AL 2004)

Animal abuse is an indicator of current and future violence Need for more understanding about the dynamics of

animal abuse in the context of domestic violence and child abuse

Significance of animals in the lives of battered and abused women and children is high

Pet’s role in victim rehabilitation is strong

Increased Collaboration is needed Law enforcement Veterinarians Animal welfare organizations Social services/Mental Health Educators Domestic Violence Shelters and Advocacy Centers

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Collaborative Programs

Safe HavensHSUS First Strike CampaignASPCA Awareness CampaignsAniCare and AniCare Child

WHAT’S BEING DONE?

DV shelters can’t accept petsAnimal shelters, animal care and animal control

agencies, private organizations have begun to partner

Provide temporary housingOffer life saving alternative to DV victim and

petAlso provide victims, organizations, and public

with valuable information

Education and awarenessSafety planning

SAFE HAVENS

One national program is the National Cruelty Investigation School, a program of the Law Enforcement Training Institute at University of Missouri, which trains law enforcement offi cials in how to conduct cruelty investigations, focusing on the link between animal cruelty and human violence. Many local agencies are following suit with their own special units.

Another program is the HSUS First Strike program which raises awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and other violence. First Strike works with local animal protection, law enforcement and social services agencies to reduce animal, family and community violence. First Strike is also working to pass felony-level anti-cruelty laws around the country.

TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

Since 1998, 27 states have passed legislation allowing or, in some instances, mandating, judges to include psychological treatment in the sentences of convicted animal abusers. These legislative eff orts have produced a demand for a range of programs dealing with the problem of animal abuse.

Primary prevention involves eff orts to educate the general public about the seriousness and importance of animal abuse and its relation to other forms of violence.

Secondary prevention programs identify people “at risk” – those more likely to become abusers. Children at risk might be those who do not have adequate supervision in their home.

Finally, for those who unfortunately already “rely” on animal abuse as a way of expressing or dealing with their emotional problems, therapists and clinical researchers have developed interventions to assess and remediate that poor adjustment.

TREATMENT AND LEGISLATION

The AniCare approach treats children and adults whose problems require more than parent guidance or education but less than residential treatment.

AniCare Child includes training in empathy (taking an animal’s point of view) and self-management techniques (better problem-solving skil ls). Many children who abuse animals have attachment problems: They may have failed to develop a secure bond with a parent and may be over-reliant on a relationship with a companion animal; or they may be taking out the frustration of their own unmet needs on a companion animal.

The adult version of AniCare emphasizes helping an individual be accountable for his or her behavior. Often animal abusers do not admit to themselves or others that what they did is wrong. They are not will ing to accept that their behavior is a problem.

Educating criminal justice personnel about available treatment programs provides the demand; training therapists to work with this population provides the supply to meet that demand. Together these developments can reduce both animal abuse and co-occurring violence against humans.

ANICARE