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Many studies have attempted to verify a link between animal cruelty and human-directed violence. For example, a survey 5 of 38 women entering battered women’s shelters found that 71% of the pet-owning women reported that their partner had threatened or actually hurt or killed one or more of their pets. Another study 6 found that people with a history of violence toward animals were at higher risk for exhibiting violence toward people. A retrospective study7 that examined the histories of incarcerated violent offenders found that these subjects often had long histories of violence toward animals during childhood and adolescence. The authors of that study concluded that violent offenders were significantly more likely than nonviolent offenders to have committed acts of cruelty toward animals as children. Although these studies do not prove a causal relationship between childhood violence toward animals and future violence toward humans, they do provide strong evidence that violence toward animals and violence toward people are often concurrent. Indeed, the link between animal cruelty and other crimes has been the driving force behind many legislative efforts to protect human and animal victims of domestic violence. For example, many state legislatures have introduced and adopted bills to allow for the inclusion of animals in protective orders. Additionally, a number of states have adopted legislation mandating cross-reporting of animal and child abuse for veterinarians, animal control officers, and child protection agencies.8 Use of the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans to influence policy indicates the widespread recognition that such a connection exists. Animal Protection Laws Animal protection legislation adopted in the 19th century reflected the property status of animals. These laws applied only to species of commercial value and did not protect animals from cruel acts inflicted by their owners. These laws also required that the perpetrator commit the act with willful or malicious intent. The limitations of these statutes made the protection of animals for their own sake difficult.9 In recent years, animal law has gained recognition as a progressive and pioneering field of law. Currently, 121 law schools in the United States offer animal law courses as a part of their curriculum.10 Moreover, 46 states, in addition to Washington, DC,11 currently consider at least one type of animal cruelty a felony offense, whereas in 1993, only seven states had felony-level animal cruelty laws. Many police departments now have humane law enforcement divisions to respond to reports of animal cruelty and enforce animal cruelty laws.

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