Research finds a clear and compelling link between animal abuse and other violent acts. Animal abuse does not only hurt animals; it affects our entire community.
Animal abuse has a strong connection to domestic violence. Victim’s dogs and cats are often used by abusers as pawns to manipulate and control them. In an abusive home, a companion animal may serve as a lone confidant for an abused woman or child and, by abusing the animal, an abuser takes advantage of the victim’s concern for his or her animal.
