Theresa Caney

There is a high correlation between animal abuse and abuse of human victims, with evidence that people who abuse animals are 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans. It has been found that 86% of animal offenders have had multiple arrests in their past. Some studies have found that in 88% of homes where animal abuse occurs, child abuse is also happening. Often abusers will use animal abuse as a way to coerce the people in their life that they are abusing. Studies show that batterers who abuse pets use more dangerous and controlling behaviors than those who do not. This is significantly increased for those who kill pets. Witnessing and experiencing abuse harms children on many levels. Studies have found that upwards of 32% of women who are victims of domestic violence have reported their children have abused animals, and children who abuse animals are 2-3 times more likely to have been abused themselves. Living in a household that normalizes abuse and neglect of a living being teaches children that this is acceptable behavior. The impact is lower levels of empathy and impulse control. Children who abuse animals are also more likely to engage in bullying, cyberbullying, and acts of aggression towards humans and animals. The abuse or neglect of animals is not always malicious. More than 92% of social workers surveyed in one study reported finding evidence of animal neglect in households where the person could not take care of themselves either. Namely, 32% of battered women with children stated that their children (both girls and boys) were cruel to animals as well, either hurting them or killing them minors who witness animal abuse learn unhealthy coping habits. A history of animal abuse strongly correlates with a lack of empathy toward others as well as a lack of impulsive aggression control. The "natural pedagogy" that occurs as children respond to cues from the adults in their environment-and absorb how the adult interacts with the world-has major effects on childhood development. While a person's empathy can be destroyed, empathy can also be taught and cultivated.' With proper treatment-and the use of tools such as early detection and intervention-this inability to empathize can be rehabilitated. Children witnessing domestic assault and animal abuse suffer from emotional abuse and can emulate both of these behaviors. children were physically and emotionally victimized as a result of protecting a pet during incidents of AA perpetrated by an abusive caregiver, which may exacerbate their risk for serious injury and maladjustment. Harming animals desensitizes children to violence and erodes their empathic development, which indicates a propensity to become increasingly violent towards fellow humans as the child progresses into adulthood. Without intervention, this sequential chain of events will continue to manifest itself in a cyclical pattern of abuse and violence. Of course, not every juvenile animal abuser will go on to engage in violent conduct towards humans later in his adult life, but sociological research has shown that there is a statistically significant connection between childhood animal abuse and later violence towards humans in adulthood.