| Existing research suggests that various forms of family violence such as domestic violence and child abuse tend to coexist or cluster. Although the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence is well publicized, little research has examined various forms of animal abuse and possible links between corresponding forms of interpersonal offenses. The present study investigated the criminal histories of 150 adult males arrested for animal cruelty, neglect or sexual abuse between 2004 and 2009. Police and sheriffs' departments, animal control agencies, and district attorneys' offices across the United States provided incident reports detailing these offenses. Information regarding the criminal history of each animal cruelty offender was then obtained through the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services division.;The sample was described in terms of demographic and criminal characteristics. Patterns of interrelationship between types of animal cruelty incidents, animal victim characteristics, and the offenders' criminal histories were explored. Results indicated that 41% of the offenders in the sample were arrested for interpersonal violence at least once, 18% were arrested for a sex offense such as rape or child molestation, and 28% were arrested for another interpersonal crime such as violating a restraining order or harassment. Moreover, results revealed a significant relationship between active animal cruelty (e.g., beating, stabbing) and both interpersonal violence and substance abuse. A significant relationship was also detected between sexually abusing animals and sexual offending against humans. These results point to the need for increased collaboration between animal welfare agencies and the social service and legal entities responsible for protecting domestic violence victims, children, elders, and other at risk groups. |
