New research has revealed that 9 out of 10 households say that abusers also targeted household pets in their abuse.

Source: MomLifeTV/Youtube

The research also revealed that 1 out of 10 households with an abuser ended in the household pet being killed by the perpetrator. It also showed that 94 percent of the time, when pets were given as gifts, the abuser would eventually kill them. The research involved 107 survivors of domestic abuse to analyze the effect that this kind of abuse has on pets as well. 

Amy Hyde, Freedom Project Manager at Dogs Trust, said,

“Unfortunately, this new research revealing further links between animal abuse and domestic abuse is not shocking to us. We see first-hand the myriad ways that perpetrators use dogs to coerce, control, physically harm and threaten within abusive relationships. This is incredibly frightening for survivors and is often aimed to leave people isolated. We have heard of perpetrators not letting survivors walk their dogs alone, stopping them from accessing vet care for their dogs or being able to spend money on dog food, and even repeatedly threatening to harm, kill or ‘get rid’ of their dogs.”

This research was done in collaboration with Dogs Trust as they are trying to spread awareness about the effects of domestic abuse on animals, especially as the research indicates that pets are often used as part of controlling and abusive behavior.

While we cannot change the horrific treatment that many animals have already endured in the past, we have the ability to give animals a voice and hold perpetrators accountable for crimes in the present and the future. Many animal abusers are not held accountable by the law, which feeds into this horrific cycle of abuse. You can sign this petition to demand all states make all animal abuse a felony.

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