NCJ Number
179175
Editor(s)
Randall Lockwood,
Frank R. Ascione
Date Published
1998
Length
460 pages
Annotation
Written for individuals and organizations concerned with implications and policies associated with child abuse, this book explores links between the maltreatment of animals and ways in which people hurt each other.
Abstract
Diverse disciplines are represented among the readings in the book, including psychology, psychiatry, criminology, social work, veterinary science, and anthropology. The readings show that cruelty to animals is often a component of interpersonal violence, and they demonstrate strong links between cruelty to animals and destructive interpersonal relationships. The readings are organized according to nine sections: (1) philosophical and historical background of cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence; (2) integrative reviews; (3) case studies, case control, and prospective research; (4) psychiatric and biomedical studies; (5) criminology; (6) developmental psychopathology; (7) child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence; (8) measurement and reporting; and (9) human-animal bond. The dynamics of animal cruelty and human violence are discussed, along with societal concerns about and responses to animal cruelty, law enforcement and social service responses to animal cruelty, and prevention and intervention issues. The editors conclude that closer analysis of links between cruelty to animals and other forms of violence offers new opportunities for the study of violence. References, tables, and figures