Friday, February 27, 2009

Another News Story Shows Link Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence

The recent story in the Boston Herald, reporting that a kitten, named Tigi, was killed by a husband who was jealous of his wife's attachment to the animal is yet another incident demonstrating the relationship between animal abuse and violence toward humans. The wife filed a restraining order alleging that the husband had also been violent to her.

A few years ago, the MSPCA and Northeastern University published a study showing that people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes. Studies have found that victims of domestic violence will delay or not leave a violent situation because of concerns about what will happen to the family pet. Abusers can use threats to family pets as a means to control and exert power over the victim. Oprah Magazine covered this issue and in an article called "The Case of the Battered Pet."

Now that this link is recognized and documented, there are strategies and programs that have been put in place in many communities to address this cycle of violence. These include animal protection organizations working with human social service programs, municipal and state law enforcement officers working with humane law enforcement, programs to provide temporary foster care for pets of people who are leaving violent situations, and legislation. Both HAVEN and the Link Up Education Network in Massachusetts pursue many of these efforts.

One of the MSPCA's priority bills for the recently commenced 2009-2010 legislative session is a bill, filed by Representative Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham), that would allow pets to be included in temporary restraining orders issues in domestic violence cases. Similar laws have been passed in a dozen states so far, and many states have bills pending. For more information visit the MSPCA's website.

Contacting your state legislators and urging support of this bill (House Docket # 1553) is a simple step that everyone can take to help both animals and people.

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