Domestic Violence and Pets

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how, although most people think of domestic violence as men hitting or otherwise assaulting women, there are many more aspects to this behavior. It examines how domestic behavior can often involve hitting or even killing domestic pets, such as cats and dogs. It examines how some investigators think that this form of domestic violence can predict later domestic violence involving human victims and even violence of other sorts that are even more disruptive to society and involve many people.

From the Paper:

"Domestic violence survivors report that the threat of harming or of actually harming or killing pets is a way of establishing or maintaining control over women and children. And some researchers deplore the relative lack of attention given this issue. They contend that the bond between women and their companion animals makes it possible for batterers to more easily coerce, intimidate and control women by abusing their pets. They note that concern for the safety of pets is a significant barrier to women leaving abusive relationships."

More papers on Domestic Violence and Pets:

• Research Proposal # 60817 : "Domestic Violence and Children"
• Research Proposal # 146356 : "Animal Abuse and Crime"
• Essay # 59510 : "Animal Cruelty"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: