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Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ arkowpets@snip - 856-627-5118

The Cycle of Violence: The Connection between Violence to Humans and Animals (A Species-Spanning Approach ). Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ arkowpets@snip.net - 856-627-5118 www.nationalLINKcoalition.org. Inaugural President’s Council Lecture

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Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ arkowpets@snip - 856-627-5118

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  1. The Cycle of Violence: The Connection between Violence to Humans and Animals (A Species-Spanning Approach ) Phil Arkow Coordinator National Link Coalition Stratford, NJ arkowpets@snip.net - 856-627-5118 www.nationalLINKcoalition.org Inaugural President’s Council Lecture Animal Rescue League of Boston Oct. 28, 2014

  2. How I Got Here The provocative research study…. The curious teacher training…. The fateful after-dinner speech….

  3. How to Shift a Paradigm: Recognize Animal Welfare’s Impact on Healthy People and Healthy Communities “Animal cruelty is more than just a legal issue. It’s a community issue. If you improve animal welfare in a community, you improve public safety for everyone.” -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

  4. Our Basic Premises • We can prevent animal abuse and other forms of family violence by paying more attention to animal abuse as a potential indicator and predictor crime. • Measures to prevent, prosecute and punish animal cruelty are just as beneficial to Man (and Woman) as they are to Man’s Best Friend.

  5. What is The Link? “When animals are abused, people are at risk; When people are abused, animals are at risk.” • Witness • Perpetrate • Sexual abuse • Family violence • Animal fighting • Neglect pet • Neglect self • Hoarding • Manipulate • Intimidate • Retaliate • Emotional blackmail • Hostages

  6. Domestic Violence 1. Emotional blackmail to humiliate, intimidate, or retaliate 2. Battered women are afraid to leave home: partner will kill pets; no one to care for them Sexual Abuse 3. To coerce children into sexual acts or silence 4. Children commit or witness animal cruelty: lifelong, devastating emotional results Child Development 5. Pathological altruism; often elderly Hoarding Animal Fighting 6. Dog/cock fights (31%) Types of Links – Potential Indicator/Predictor Crimes

  7. Why should animal abuse be taken seriously? • ID’s people engaging in other crimes • Exposes family violence • Humane investigators often first responders, first social services access to a family in crisis • Indicator that children at risk to themselves and to others • Witnesses or victims more comfortable talking about it • Begins early in childhood (median age: 61/2) • Animal abuse inflicts pain and suffering on victims

  8. Why should animal abuse be taken seriously? • History of animal abuse or neglect in 21.1% of fatal dog bites • Frequently co-occurred with: • Dog not spayed/neutered • Compromised ability of victim to interact with dog • Dog a “resident” rather than “family”pet • Preventable factors more significant than dog’s breed. (Patronek et. al, JAVMA, 2013)

  9. Why are people cruel to animals? As many reasons as for interpersonal violence, including: • Ignorance and inability to empathize • Inadequate coping skills (more sensitive to stress and strain; pet’s behavior releases frustration and anger) • Socialized to abuse • Believe abuse is justified and beneficial (power & control) • Entitlement (animals not worth moral consideration) • Personality dysfunction, poor impulse control • Religious and regional subcultures

  10. Reasons for Deliberate Cruelty or Killing of Animals by CHILDREN: All of the above, plus… • Curiosity or exploration • Peer pressure • Relieve boredom or depression • Fear of the animal • Coercion by a more powerful person • To protect the animal from worse abuse • Re-enacting their own experience of being abused • Regaining a sense of power after abuse • Imitating adult actions • Rehearsal for interpersonal violence

  11. How we view our pets has changed dramatically… • More homes have pets than children pets than children • More money on pet food than baby food • More dogs in the US than people in most countries in Europe… and more cats than dogs! • 7th largest retail sector • More likely to grow up with pets than a father

  12. How we view our pets has changed dramatically… Hurricane Katrina … Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act -- Oct. 2006

  13. How we view our pets has changed dramatically… Fukushima Earthquake, Tsunami, & Nuclear Meltdown, 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

  14. How we view our pets has changed dramatically… Enhance and facilitate social capital — a protective factor for community health • Sense of community • Catalysts for neighborly reciprocity • Motivation to use public spaces • Encourage recreation • PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

  15. Challenges… Challenge… AVMA: U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, 2012

  16. Challenges… Traditional Family Systems Theory Community Extended family Parent(s) Child(ren) Challenge… Pet(s) Cruelty Animal control Vets

  17. Challenges… More Appropriate Family Systems Theory Community Extended family Parent(s) Child(ren) Challenge resolved! Pet(s)

  18. Case studies Animal welfare investigators are often the first responders… “A 4 year-old is beaten to death; a pastor and family vanish” -- Philadelphia Inquirer, Jan. 11, 1999

  19. Case studies Animals are harmed to control battered women

  20. How has The Link been studied? 1970s: The“Triad” of behaviors found in childhood histories of many killers Animal abuse Arson Bedwetting

  21. How has The Link been studied? The “Tangled Web” - 1980s David Berkowitz “Son of Sam” Albert DeSalvo “Boston Strangler” The Rogues’ Gallery continues… Donald Rader “The BTK Killer” Brian David Mitchell (Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart) Lee Malvo Ted Bundy

  22. “Clues to a Dark Nurturing Ground for One Serial Killer” -- New York Times, Aug. 7, 1991 Jeffrey and his dog Frisky Jeffrey Dahmer

  23. How has The Link been studied? 1990s: School-yard shooters: 43%have histories of animal abuse Kip Kinkle Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold

  24. How has The Link been studied? • Fire setting • Bullying • Other criminal acts • Corporal punishment • Physical and/or sexual abuse • Exposure to domestic violence • Exposure to animal abuse 2000s – Risk Factors Linked With Animal Abuse Becker, Steuwig, Herrera & McCloskey, 2004: A Study of Firesetting and Animal Cruelty in Children: Family Influences & Adolescent Outcomes Henry & Sanders (2007): Bullying and Animal Abuse: Is there a Connection?

  25. Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence? 153 cruelty offenders: • tracked for 10 years before &10 years after • matched with control group Criminal offenses: Animal abusers: 70% Non-abusers: 22% Conclusion: Animal abuse doesn’t always lead to human violence, but we’re not surprised when there is a Link Source: Northeastern University

  26. Henry Bergh Founder ASPCA Animal Abuse & Child Abuse The “Little Mary Ellen” Case (1874)

  27. Animal Abuse & Child Abuse - 60% of pet-owning families Investigated for child abuse or neglect also had abused or neglected pets • Animal abuse occurred in 88% of families with physical child abuse - Bite rate was 11x greater • Use of veterinary services similar to general population Source: DeViney, Dickert & Lockwood, 1983

  28. Animal Abuse & Child Abuse Children are especially drawn to animals and often confide their secrets, fears and angers to their pets; abused children more likely to do this. Pets may be children’s only friends in chaotic homes and may help buffer against maladjustment. Source: Melson, 2001; Robin, ten Bensel, Quigley & Anderson, 1984; Risley-Curtiss et al., 2006; Strand, 2004

  29. Animal Abuse & Child Abuse • Children’s literature & media saturated with animals • First words in toddlers’ vocabularies • Fairy tales have more animals than fairies • 80-90% of children first experience loss through pets Gail F. Melson: Why the Wild Things Are (2001)

  30. Animal Abuse & Child Abuse Pet-keeping is a pivotal point of childhood identification and part of the construct of childhood memories. “A growing body of evidence suggests that bonds formed or broken with companion animals reverberate and resonate across the lifespan.” (Jalongo, 2004) Witnessing animal cruelty can be as emotionally devastating to a child as perpetrating it . (DeGue & DeLillo, 2008)

  31. Aggressive Behavior in Children “Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence?” • WHAT WE KNOW: Child aggressive behavior • Stable and predictable by age 8 • Often predicts serious anti-social behavior in adulthood • Transmitted across generations • Early sign of conduct disorder (61/2 years) (Shapiro, 2011; McPhedran, 2009)

  32. Aggressive Behavior in Children “Does Animal Abuse Always Lead to Human Violence?” WHAT WE DON’T KNOW: • Causal or co-relational? • Graduation hypothesis? • General deviance? • Context of home environment and abusive experiences? • Something else? • All of the above? (Shapiro, 2011; McPhedran, 2009)

  33. Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Impact of IPV on children: • “There is no safe place” • “Adults can’t protect themselves or us” • Child takes on responsibility of protecting the victims • Ambivalent feelings over abuser/parent • Chronic fear leads to aggression • In homes with domestic violence, risk of co-occurring child abuse 45% - 60%; children abused 15x higher than norm --Betsy McAlister Groves, Child Witness to Violence Project, Boston MA, 2004

  34. Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence 71% -- partner killed, harmed or threatened animal 32%-- children had hurt or killed animals (Ascione, 1998) 18% - 48% of women don’t leave Ascione (2007) One of 4 most significant risk factors of becoming a batterer Walton-Moss, Manganello, Frye & Campbell (2005) Batterers who also abuse pets use more forms of violence and are more dangerous Incidents occurred: Simmons, C.A. & Lehman, P. (2007) In presence of women – 87% In presence of children – 75% (Quinlisk, 1994) 41% of IPV offenders had committed at least 1 act of animal abuse since age of 18 (Rate in general pop.: 1.5%) (Febres et al., 2014)

  35. Animal Abuse and the Duluth Model of Power & Control Isolation:Refusing to allow you to take your pet to your vet. Prohibiting you from socializing your dog with other dogs. Emotional abuse:Calling your pet names, or giving away or killing a pet to take away your primary source of comfort and unconditional love. Coercion and Threats:Threatening to harm or kill your pet if you leave or assert any independence. Economic Abuse:Refusing to allow you to spend money on adequate pet food and/or vet care (then blaming you when the neglect is noticed by authorities). Legal Abuse:Trying to take possession of a pet for which you have been the primary caretaker. Filing charges of pet theft against you if you leave with the pet. Intimidation:Harming or killing a pet and threatening that the same thing will happen to you if you don’t comply with the abuser’s demands. Minimizing, Denying & Blaming:Blaming you or your pet for the cruelty. Killing a pet and then saying that it doesn’t matter because the pet was old. Using Children:Harming or killing the children’s pet to intimidate them. Blaming the “disappearance” of the family pet on you to create a wedge between you and the children.

  36. The Animal Abuse/Domestic Violence Inter-Generational Cycle of Violence

  37. Animal Abuse – The “Wake-Up Call” • Many victims blames themselves for the abuse and are isolated from others who can provide a reality check. Animal cruelty is a wake-up call that the fault lies not within themselves, but in the personality of the abuser.

  38. Animal Abuse and Elder Abuse Animal Welfare Issues for Social/Adult Protective Services • Neglect of pet • Neglect self to care for pet • Coercion & control • Attachment and pet loss • Safety of caseworker, home health aide, or homemaker services • Animal hoarding

  39. Animal Abuse and Elder Abuse Four Types of Animal Hoarders Animals provide acceptance, sense of self-worth, conflict-free relationships 1. Mental illness Attachment disorders? Depression? Obsession-Compulsion Disorder? Agoraphobia? Anxiety? Schizophrenia? Alzheimer’s? 2. Overwhelmed:good intentions gone bad; the go-to lady. 3. Rescuers:only ones who can care for them, state of denial, identity tied to possession, deep mistrust of others. 4. Exploiters:greed or criminal intent.

  40. Animal Abuse and Law Enforcement History of animal abuse a better predictor of sexual assault than previous convictions for homicide, arson or firearms offenses 35% of search warrants executed in Chicago for animal abuse or dog fighting investigations  seizures of illegal drugs and/or weapons

  41. The Veterinarian’s Role: “The Other Family Doctor” • Prevent public health problems • Protect others at-risk • Care-giving profession • Role in public health • Best-trained to ID substandard care • Set highest standards for animal welfare • Build bridges to community groups • Elevate the status of the profession • To improve the well-being of animals Vets need training: • To consider possibility of abuse • To recognize when clients give misleading info • In veterinary forensics

  42. Resolving Veterinary Concerns Statutory: Mandate Practice Management: Guidance Peer Support: Association Policies and Codes of Conduct DVMs report Child Abuse: CA, CO (18 states: everyone mandated) DVMs report Elder Abuse: IL (Continuing) Veterinary Education: Forensics

  43. Link-based Legislative Solutions Felony-level crimes Emerging interest in The Link

  44. Legislative Solutions Pet Protection Orders 27 states, Wash. DC & Puerto Rico include pets in domestic violence protection orders 2012 2014 2012 2014 2014

  45. Legislative Solutions Federal Level Feb. 2014: Federal felony to bring a child to an animal fight (Farm Bill) Sept. 2014: FBI to add 4 categories of animal cruelty, abuse and neglect to NIBRS UCR system for 18,000 law enforcement agencies Sept. 2014: (“bi-petisan”) H.R. 5267 introduced to extend anti-stalking and PPO protections beyond 27 states to federal level; federal funds for pet safehouses Rep. Katherine Clark (D – Mass.) Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – Fla.)

  46. Programmatic Solutions Domestic Violence Pet Support “Doggie Witness Protection Programs” “SAF-T” – Sheltering Animals & Families Together “Safe Havens” 86 pet-friendly women’s shelters (none in Massachusetts – yet…) 900 women’s shelters: Foster referrals $3,000 grants for construction $500 grants for vet care www.redrover.org

  47. Programmatic Solutions Community Link Coalitions Community LINK Coalitions and Animal Cruelty Task Forces • Prosecutors • Law Enforcement • Cruelty investigators as first responders

  48. Programmatic Solutions Community Awareness Baltimore: Pets in the Safety Plan

  49. Programmatic Solutions Community Awareness Spotabuse.org Milwaukee, Wis.

  50. (1962) (1996) We Have Come a Long Way in a Short Period of Time… (1979)

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