Albert Einstein

2. Albert Einstein • "If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act of abstinence is from injury to animals."

3. Pet Ownership in the United States. Sixty-eight percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet…………… 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

4. Millions of pets

5. The truth is that a person who harms animals will likely harm humans–and a person who harms humans will almost certainly harm animals.

6. When animals in a home are abused or neglected, it is a warning sign that others in the household may be in danger.

7. Commonly Accepted Definition • “Socially unacceptable behavior that intentionally causes unnecessary pain, suffering, or distress to and/or death of an animal.” • Frank Ascione, 1993 • Psychology Professor • Utah State Univeristy

8. Who has a picture of their pet in their phone along with the pictures of family members?

10. Roles of Pets in US Households

11. To Control an Animal • Excessive, cruel physical punishment to shape an animal’s behavior or eliminate undesirable characteristics.

12. To Retaliate Against an Animal • Extreme punishment and revenge for a presumed wrong on the part of an animal. • Delight taken in retaliatory punishment • Vengeance is intense

13. To Retaliate Against Another Person • Striking back or exacting revenge against someone else by killing, mutilating, or torturing their pet.

15. The Relationship Between Animal Abuse & Domestic Abuse  • "Murderers… very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids." Robert K. Resler 1937-2013 FBI agent and author Psychological profiler of violent offenders Coined the term‘serial killer’

16. The Relationship Between Animal Abuse & Domestic Abuse Margaret Mead Anthropologist • “One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal… and get away with it”.

17. Notorious Killers • Jeffrey Dahmer • Impaled dogs’ heads, frogs and cats on sticks. • Ted Bundy • Claimed responsibility for 30 murders • Tortured animals as a teenager

18. ANIMAL CRUELTY & MASS MURDERERS • “Those who abuse animals for no obvious reason are budding psychopaths.” Dr. Randall Lockwood

19. Rehearsal for Interpersonal Violence • “Practicing” violence on animals before engaging in violent acts against other people.

20.  A 2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department "revealed a startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims."  Of those arrested for animal crimes, 65% had been arrested for battery against another person…………….

21. 36 convicted murderers 46% admitted acts of animal torture as adolescents +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 7 school shootings 1987-2001 ALL involved boys had previous history of animal cruelty.

22. Killing, harming, or threatening to harm animals are weapons used by abusers to manipulate victims into silence and to destroy the comfort animals provide.

23. DV batterers who harm animals are far more dangerous & more violent Simmons, C.A. & Lehmann ( 2007)

24. 18%-48% battered women delay in leaving out of fear for the safety of their animals. Ascione, F.R., Weber, C.V. (2007)

25. An Undeniable Link Animal abuse is often the first visible sign a family is in trouble. • Many victims entering shelters report that their abuser has hurt, killed, or threatened family animals. About a third report their children have harmed animals. • Victims often admit an animal is being abused before they admit their own suffering. • Animal cruelty investigations frequently unravel chronic domestic abuse

26. What is animal cruelty • Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cruelty investigated by humane officers is unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education. • Intentional cruelty, or abuse, is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal.

27. Why is it a concern? • Because it is wrong to inflict suffering on any living creature. • Intentional cruelty is a particular concern because it is a sign of psychological distress. Often indicates that an individual either has experienced violence or may be predisposed to committing acts of violence

28. Is there evidence to connect animal cruelty with human violence • Absolutely: many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the past twenty- five years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty.

29. Is there evidence to connect animal cruelty with human violence • . The FBI has recognized since the 70’s the link between animal cruelty and serial killers. • The APA considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorders.

30. ANIMAL NEGLECT • Animal abuse in form of neglect: 1st indicator? Failing to provide minimal care for family pet? More likely to fail the kids ANIMAL HOARDING? Thoughts?

31. Statistics on the Animal Cruelty- Domestic Violence Connection • 74% of pet owning women who were abused reported that a pet had been threatened, injured or killed by their abuser. • A 1983 survey of NJ families found that in 88% of families which were reported for child abuse, at least one person had abused animals.

32. Why would anyone be cruel to animals • Animal cruelty like many other forms of violence, is often committed by a person who feels powerless, unnoticed, and under control of others.

33. Why would anyone be cruel to animals • The motive may be to shock, threaten, intimidate, or offend others or to demonstrate rejection of society’s rules.

34. Why would anyone be cruel to animals • Some who are cruel to animals, copy things they have seen or have been done to them. Others see harming an animal as a safe way to get revenge on someone who cares about that animal

35. Is it natural for all children to sometimes hurt animals ? • Absolutely not: while some children kill insects, few torture pets or small creatures. If allowed to harm animals, children are more likely to be violent later on in life. • Animal cruelty, like any other violence, should never be attributed to a stage of development.

36. What kind of children are cruel to animals ? • Serious animal cruelty is seen more in boys than in girls. Children as young as four may harm animals, but cruel behavior is most commonly found during adolescence.

37. What kind of children are cruel to animals ? • Cruelty is often associated with children who do poorly in school, have low self-esteem, and few friends. Children who are cruel to animals are often characterized as bullies and may have a history of vandalism and other anti-social behaviors

38. What does animal cruelty indicate about family dynamics • Research has shown that the child has displaced hostility and aggression stemming from neglect or abuse of the child or of another family member. • Often indicates that child abuse and/or domestic violence occurs in that family

39. What to do if you observe animal cruelty by a child • Talk to the child; determine what caused the cruelty • Talk with the child’s teachers and friends • Seek the help of a family counselor, school counselor, pediatrician or clergy member • Report the cruelty to a local animal welfare organization or the police department • Alert the child’s school principal or guidance counselor

40. What should I tell a child about animal cruelty? • Explain that animal abuse if often a sign of other serious problems and should be addressed by proper authorities • Sort through the child’s feelings if he/she has observed cruelty to animals

41. What if a “good” child hurts an animal one time? • Innocent exploration may be corrected simply by talking with the child • BUT, any time a child caused an animal pain or suffering you should take some corrective action

42. • Children who form a bond with their companion animals score higher on measures of social competence and empathy (Poresky, 1990). • • Ten-year-old children who had established strong bonds with their dog had significantly higher self-esteem, as well as greater empathy (Bierer, 2001). • • Children perceive their pets as special friends, important family members, and providers of social interactions, affection, and emotional support (Triebenbacher, 1998).

43. • Children who had a pet during their childhood were more empathetic, more prone to enter a helping profession, and were more oriented toward social values than those without a pet (Vizek-Vidovic, Arambasic, Kerestes, Kuterovac-Jagodic, & Vlahovic-Stetic, 2001). • Children who had increased empathy scores because of their relationship with their pets also showed greater empathy toward people (Ascione & Weber, 1996).

44. INTERVIEWING CHILDREN • Have you or your family ever had any pets? What happened to them? • Do you have a pet or pets now? Tell me about them. What are their names? • Have you ever lost a pet you really cared about? What happened? • Has your pet ever been hurt? • Have you ever felt afraid for your pet or worried about bad things happening to your pet? • Has anybody ever tried to make you do something you didn’t want to do by threatening to hurt your pet? What happened?

45. INTERVIEWING CHILDREN • Have you ever hurt an animal or pet? What happened? • What happens when your family pet misbehaves? • Have you ever been punished for something your pet did, like getting into the trash? • Or has your pet ever been punished for something you did, like not doing the dishes when you were told to?

46. What is the difference between exploration and cruelty? • Innocent exploration may just be from simple curiosity • Cruelty is motivated by a desire to harm • Even innocent acts of cruelty should be addressed • You must intervene when a child is insensitive to the obvious distress of an animal, repeats a harmful behavior or derives pleasure from causing an animal pain

47. What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case? • Sentencing can include individual or family counseling, community service, or diversion programs • May be the first opportunity to give the family needed help • The point is not necessarily to imprison the child but to get the child help

48. Anonymous Reports& Testifying • It is difficult to give anonymous reports as the authorities will need an eye witness to the cruelty to testify at trial

49. How can I teach my child to respect animals? • Teach by example • Invite your child to help you care for animals • Discuss animal cruelty • Encourage your child to speak up for animals

50. Youth Violence and Animal Cruelty • May 20, 1999, Anthony “T.J.” Solomon opened fired at Heritage High School injuring six students. • He stated that he enjoyed looking into an animal’s eyes, so he could watch them die.