FACTS ABOUT ABUSE

Research clearly shows that abuse towards animals is an indicator of future violence including child abuse and domestic violence. 

-        From 2000-2007 there were 8,664 reported canine abuse cases, Pit Bulls made up more than 20% of those cases.¹ 

-        88 percent of homes where children were physically abused, pets were mistreated too.²

-        At a battered women’s shelter, 71% of women reported animal abuse by their partner.³

-         Animal cruelty problems are people problems. When animals are abused, people are at risk.⁴

-        Street fighting occurs in economically challenged neighborhoods.⁵ 

-        70% of animal abusers also had records for other crimes.⁶

1.  http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/cruelty_database/statistics/pit_bulls_vs_non_pit_bulls.php

2.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/us/18animal.html

3.  Battered Women’s Reports of Their Partners’ and Their Children’s Cruelty to Animals, Frank R. Ascione, Journal of

     Emotional Abuse, Volume 1, Issue 1 July 1997 , pages 119 – 133

4.  Arkow, P. (1996). The relationships between animal abuse and other forms of family violence. Family Violence &

     Sexual Assault Bulletin 12(1-2), 29-34.

5.  http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq.html

6.  Luke, C., Arluke, A., & Levin, J. (1998). Cruelty to Animals and Other Crimes: A Study by the MSPCA and Northeastern University. Boston: MSPCA.