Domestic Violence Affects the Entire Family, Including Family Pets

For most of us, our animal companions are a source of joy, laughter, and love. Most of us choose to include our companion animals in what we consider our “families” because in addition to companionship, they also provide comfort when we are sad or stressed, and motivation for us to get outside, to move, to play. They encourage us to explore our silly side, make us more compassionate people, and prompt us to spend our free time interacting and playing with them. Studies show that, because of all this, they also make us healthier, both physically and mentally. For many individuals, their animals can be the very life line that fills them with purpose and keeps them on task with their lives. In fact, 86% of people with pets report that their animals improve their mental health. 

Here at Sarge’s, we often hear grateful people who access our community pet pantry say that their animals are the reason they continue to push forward, even when their lives are desperately bleak, because they need to show up for those animals who are their family members. Sometimes their animals give them the only unconditional love they’ve ever known. 

Despite our society’s devotion to our pets as family members, because they cannot speak for themselves, they are also very vulnerable. This can lead to misunderstandings regarding their needs. It can also lead to abuse and neglect. 

While harming another sentient being is strictly prohibited by the laws of ethical society, and the harm of companion animals is not acceptable within the law, it happens more than many of us would like to admit, with over 10 million pets dying from cruelty and abuse every year (NIBRS). The epidemic of animal abuse and neglect is intolerable and unacceptable, but cases sometimes go unpunished because of the difficulty investigating these crimes, and because the animals cannot speak for themselves. Since they cannot advocate for themselves they cannot give details regarding what they have endured.

As reprehensible as animal abuse is, often it is the link between animal abuse and human-directed violence that gets the most attention. Over 70% of reported domestic violence cases were carried out by known animal abusers, and 88% of homes with substantiated child abuse also report animal abuse (NIH). In addition, 30% of children who have suffered psychological and physical violence “act out” violence against animals, and adults that perpetrate violence against people also often have a documented history of animal abuse (Psychology Today). While these numbers are staggering, there are many other types of animal abuse that go unknown and undocumented, with less than 0.01% of those who die of abuse being reported (World Animal Foundation). 

As we recognize that October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, we should take a moment to consider all the vulnerable members of our families and society, including the animals. Psychological and physical abuse in any capacity to any individual is dangerous to all of our society, and perpetuates cycles of violence into the future. We must be extra vigilant in protecting the vulnerable, and treat them like the precious resources they are, both human and animal.