Research Paper

Shelby Purvis

English 1020

Kenny Harmon

2/2/16

Interpersonal Violence and Abusive Families Leading to the Cause Animal Cruelty

According to studies, animal cruelty has become a big issue in the world. Most studies show that laws are in the process of being created because animal cruelty is commonly caused from interpersonal violence, animal shelters, and an abusive childhood. Research has been done on children who have a conduct disorder (CD) in allowing them to have an attitude that leads to delinquent behavior like animal abuse. Few studies observe if age, race, or even sex has any impact with the abuse towards animals. According to data from shelters, many women and children have come in reporting harm to animals that was seen.

Many research studies have shown the connection between interpersonal violence and animal cruelty. Deb Teachout, IWRC Board of Directors and associate editor for JWR, Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, states “in recognition of the importance of animal cruelty and its link to human interpersonal violence, the FBI’s National Incident Reporting System has removed animal cruelty crime from the combined ‘other offenses’ category and given it its own separate class” (24). Teachout claims a crime in California of someone shooting a raccoon, and they will face misdemeanor chargers. Dennis D. Long and Shanti J. Kulkarni, a part of the Department of Social Work, Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, discuss information that was said by Risley-Curtiss, Zilney, and Hornung:

“Yet, in communities across America, many protective service agencies and animal care organizations continue to function in a segregated fashion, conceptualizing identification of and intervention with animal cruelty and interpersonal violence as separate, unrelated occurrences that affect specific populations (e.g., children, women, and animals). For example, Risley-Curtiss, Zinley, & Hornung indicate that only ‘Slightly more than a quarter of the states 12 0f 46) provide training for CPS [child protective service] staff to inquire about whether families have animals … a little more than 17% (8 of 46) include information about recognizing and assessing animal abuse’(2010, p.75)” (Long and Kulkarni).

Studies show that community-based organizations are working toward to facilitate to further protect families who also have animals in an abusive household (Long and Kulkarni).

Interpersonal violence has not only been associated with animal cruelty but it is found to be incorporated with delinquency in general. J. Wong, D. Mellor, and B. Richardson, a part of the School of Psychology, Child: Care, Health and Development, affirms that numerous case studies of serial killers and mass murderers reveal that those individuals tortured, abused, or even killed animals throughout their childhood (Wong, Mellor, and Richardson). Wong, Mellor, and Richardson explain with facts of 153 identified individuals who had been prosecuted for animal cruelty. Those individuals were 5.3 times more likely to have a criminal record, four times more likely to be arrested, and 3.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug-related crimes (Wong, Mellor, and Richardson). Studies show that most of the animal abuse from children is caused by some that have a diagnosis of Conduct Disorder (CD). This disorder includes other’s rights being violated by a repetitive pattern of aggressive conduct; verbal abuse, stealing, negative towards adults, attitudes, and being destructive are all examples of CD. Wong, Mellor, and Richardson declares that “A significant proportion of individuals with CD exhibit cruelty towards animals, with research suggesting that up to 25% of children with CD engage in animal abuse” (Wong, Mellor, and Richardson). Other researchers are arguing that animal cruelty is one of the first stages in children with CD. Wong, Mellor, and Richardson discuss that:

“Although there have been several studies exploring the relationship between CD and childhood animal cruelty, there is limited research regarding the association between childhood animal cruelty and other childhood psychiatric disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”

Studies show a wide variety of examinations for the relationship between animal cruelty and child-maltreatment. Glenn D. Walters, Department of Criminal Justice, Childhood Animal Cruelty and Aggressive Offending, discusses studies are documented between early cruelty and later cruelty of the relationship between animal cruelty and subsequent violence. Walters conducted a cross-national study on elementary and junior high school children in Japan, Australia, and Malaysia. It was discovered that boys and younger children have shown to engage in animal cruelty rather than girls and older children (Walters). Studies provide information of a witness of an interaction between animal cruelty and biological sex in a study of college students of the relationship between animal abuse and bullying. Critical thinking and low empathy was found to be stronger in females rather than in males (Walters). Walters states that “Race is another demographic characteristic that could potentially interact with animal cruelty that has not yet been investigated. All three demographic measures (sex, age, and race) were consequently evaluated as potential moderators of the cruelty-violence relationship” (Walters). Information is provided in percentages that allow us to see the differences between participants. Walters gives us a percentage ration of 14.4% versus 9.3% of Hispanic and black children acknowledged animal cruelty and 8.8% versus 15% of white and non -white participants. Research provides information that 62% of people involved oneself with animal cruelty before age eleven out of 115 individuals, 71 participants did.

Evidence shows that there has been a lack of attention to the link of both child abuse and animal cruelty. Catherine A. Faver and Elizabeth B. Strand, University of Tennessee, Journal of Social Work Education, declares that:

“The researchers found pet abuse or neglect in 60% of the families in the sample. In most of the cases in which the pet abuse involved either inflicting pain on the animal or causing an inhumane death, one or both of the parents were the perpetrators; children were the sole pet abusers in only 14% of such cases. In addition, the rate of pet abuse was 88% among the 21 families in which there had been child physical abuse (as opposed to sexual abuse or neglect). In an unpublished analysis of an existing data set, Friedrich (cited in Ascione, 1993) examined the incidences of animal cruelty, according to parental reports, in samples of sexually abused and non-abused children ages 2-12. The finding showed that 34.8% of 89 abused boys, but only 4.9% of 453 non abused boys, had been cruel to animals. Likewise, 27.5% of 182 abused girls, compared to 3.3% of 426 non-abused girls, had been cruel to animals.”

Social workers are beginning to recognize the importance of a safe family for an animal and also may be the first professionals to experience evidence of abusive or neglected family members. Faver and Strand point out that social workers have a lack of attention to human and animal welfare agencies and also pets that have not been regarded as valued members of families.

Numbers are rising for shelters that are not holding as many animals as they can. Studies are providing evidence that shelters have been killing off animals that do not get adopted or rescued. Vivek Upadhya, J.D Candidate, Emory University School of Law, expresses that the abuse of an animal is a source of harm and control and has spoken to victims of loved ones torturing the animal. A survey of 48 states was taken and it shows 27.1% of shelters who actually seek animal abuse during interviews. Also, 85.4% of shelters stated that women who come into the shelter report incidents of animal abuse. Of 46 states, 63% show that children who enter the shelter mention animal abuse incidents (Upadhya). The improvement of the Live Release Rate (LRR) in animal shelters has taken place in the previous five years. Emily Weiss, Gary Patronek, Margaret Slater, Laurie Garrison, and Karen Medicus, Shelter Research and Development, ASPCA, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, mention that over the five-year period, there is an overall improvement of LRR of 62%. Within individual communities, the degree of improvement ranged from 18% to 96% (Weiss, Patronek, Slater, Garrison, and Medicus). Records keeping track of all shelters prove that animal shelters are not entitled to be connected to organizations and have the lack of recognition of the importance to save lives. The LRR is calculated by all live outcomes which include adoption, transfer, and return to caregivers. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has supported many organizations and has an intensive partnering program called ASPCA Partnership, which is both a grant program and a coaching program.

Considering all the studies and examinations of animal cruelty in many states, there has been laws created to stop animal abuse and to punish those who a victims of it. Andrea Kordzek, University at Albany, Society & Animals 22, reveals that in the past several years, there have been significant changes in law pertaining to cruelty toward non-human animals. There has been an explosion in law designed to punish individuals who cause intentional harm to animals (Kordzek). Kordzek reveals that as of 2011, there are 43 states that allow charges of cruelty on animals on a first offense and another three for repeat offenders. Records show that previous cases of the anti-cruelty law are relatively new and have complicated case decisions.  As of 2011, 29 states allow mandate counseling (Kordzek).  Kordzek explains that “Law relating to animal cruelty and the response of criminal justice actors to these offenses has evolved significantly over the past several decades.” Studies reveal that counseling may be relevant in some cases of animal cruelty.

Research on animal abuse has significantly grown to test what the real cause of animal cruelty is. Studies say it is interpersonal violence, child maltreatment, and abusive families. Large amounts of children who have grown in an abusive home have been in contact with animal cruelty, whether it was the children or a loved one harming an animal. Many children who have the diagnosis of conduct disorder (CD) Are accustomed to animal abuse considering there disorder. Laws on animal cruelty have been made and are being taken seriously since most studies are proven that interpersonal violence is the most common reason for animal abuse. Grand amounts of fines have been provided to those who have caused any harm to an animal or have been handled accordingly.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Faver, Catherine A., and Elizabeth L. Strand. “Domestic Violence And Animal Cruelty:   Untangling The Web Of Abuse.” Journal Of Social Work Education 39.2 (2003): 237.           Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Kordzek, Andrea. “An Exploratory Study Of Animal Cruelty Prosecution In New York.” Society            & Animals 22.6 (2014): 602-622. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016

LONG, DENNIS D., and SHANTI J. KULKARNI. “Cross-Reporting Of Interpersonal Violence           And Animal Cruelty: The Charlotte Project.” Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare      40.4 (2013): 131-148. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Teachout, Deb. “The Link Between Animal Cruelty And Interpersonal Violence.” Journal Of       Wildlife Rehabilitation 35.2 (2015) 23-24. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan.           2016.

UPADHYA, VIVEK. “The Abuse Of Animals As A Method Of Domestic Violence: The Need For Criminalization.” Emory Law Journal 63.5 (2014): 1163-1209. Academic Search   Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Walters, Glenn D. “Testing The Direct, Indirect, And Moderated Effects Of Childhood Animal   Cruelty On Future Aggressive And Non-Aggressive Offending.” Aggressive Behavior             40.3 (2014): 238-249. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Weiss, Emily, et al. “Community Partnering As A Tool For Improving Live Release Rate In          Animal Shelters In The United States.” Journal Of Applied Animal Welfare Science 16.3          (2013): 221-238. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Wong, J., et al. “Childhood Cruelty To Animals In China: The Relationship With Psychological    Adjustment And Family Functioning.” Child: Care, Health & Development 39.5 (2013):       668-675. Academic Search Complete. Web. 31 Jan. 2016.

Reflection

A big problem I had in writing my essay was finding the right resources for the point I wanted to get across. The databases were very easy to work with by choosing a specific word to find exactly what I needed to do research into.  The audience I envisioned that influenced me is not only professors and doctors but also lawyers, veterinarians, and people who cringe at the thought of animal abuse and would stop it immediately. Something that really got me thinking on my topic and encouraged me to write it was those ASPCA commercials on animals being found in the street lost and hurt. My personality did affect some of this essay because I wanted to really get the point across to those who love animals and care for them rather than abusing them. Animals deserve to be treated as a part of the family and not as property. I definitely improved on my writing in this essay because I did not know the correct citing for sources when being used and I learned that while doing this essay. I also learned correct punctuation when writing and how a comma does not go in-between two independent phrases but between an independent phrase and a dependent phrase. A place this essay could get published would be a news article in the newspaper where it is a pet adoption part of the paper. I could also see this essay on a website for the Humane Society or the ASPCA website. The best parts of my paper would be when I bring statistics into the essay and show percentages for families of abuse. Those statistics would be one thing I do not want my audience to miss because I feel those are the most important parts of my essay. They introduce how real animal abuse is and how it is happening in the world today. It makes us realize all the things that are happening around us because most people do not care or realize everything going on so it really puts the world in perspective.