NCJ Number
181293
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2000 Pages: 162-177
Date Published
February 2000
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examines pet abuse and the role of companion animals in the lives of battered women.
Abstract
Battered women seeking shelter were surveyed at intake about their experiences with pet abuse and the roles of pets in their abusive relationships. Of the women with pets, 46.5 percent reported that their batterers had threatened to harm or actually harmed their pets. Pets had often served as important sources of emotional support during the relationship, particularly for women reporting pet abuse. Women continued to worry about the safety of their pets, especially given that many pets remained with the abusive partner. A number of the women surveyed delayed seeking shelter, some for as long as 2 months, out of concern for their pet. Women, and sometimes children, may literally have risked their lives in an effort to protect their pets. Those sacrifices signify how invaluable companion animals can be in the lives of battered women and how crucial it is for professionals to recognize that fact. Awareness of animal abuse could also have important legal implications. Evidence of cruelty to an animal could be used to enhance the chances of securing an order of protection, temporary custody of the home and children, or even the arrest of the batterer. Tables, references