Criminal histories of a subsample of animal cruelty offenders (English)

Abstract 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 examined a subsample obtained from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. (BAU) III — Crimes Against Children, which included the criminal histories of 150 adult males arrested for animal cruelty, neglect or sexual abuse in the U.S. between 2004 and 2009. The sample was described in terms of demographic and criminal characteristics. 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. Significant relationships were discovered between Active animal cruelty (such as beating or stabbing) and both interpersonal violence and substance abuse as well as 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 others at risk groups.

Highlights • The criminal histories of 150 adult men charged with physically abusing, sexually assaulting, or neglecting animals between 2004 and 2009 were reviewed. • 144 of the 150 offenders (96%) had other criminal charges prior to and/or within six years after the animal cruelty arrest. A minimum of 41% were arrested for interpersonal violence and 18% were arrested for a sex offense. • Assault was the most common crime in the offenders’ criminal histories. • At least 38% of the animal cruelty offenders were intoxicated at the time of the offense. • Common motivations for the animal cruelty acts included perceived misbehavior (e.g., toileting accidents) and attempted retaliation against the animal or a person. • In the majority of cases, the animals were victimized by their “owners” or their “owner’s” current or former intimate partner, suggesting a family violence dynamic.