Many studies in psychology, sociology and criminology during the last 25 years have documented a definite relationship between animal cruelty and human violence. Animal cruelty is now recognized as a precursor to human violence.

Safe Haven

Safe Haven is a program coordinated through the Capital Area Humane Society in partnership with other organizations.  This program assists people seeking safety from family violence by providing an alternative to permanently giving up a beloved pet, or leaving the pet behind in a potentially dangerous situation.  Safe Haven places pets in temporary foster care with a compassionate, dedicated caregiver.  Owners can reclaim their pets when it is safe to do so.

Contact the Safe Haven for Pets Coordinator at (614)315-0102.

Research indicates:

• Where there has been animal cruelty, human violence will follow. Violence against animals is a predictor or even a training ground for future violent acts against people.
  
• Abused children may grow to be violent adults who act out the violence in their family and/or in the community. Before acting out violently against another person, they will in most instances first act out cruelly on an animal.
  
• Most criminals who have been violent toward people share a common history of excessive and repetitive cruelty to animals during their childhood.
  
• In a home where there is animal cruelty, there often will be child abuse and domestic violence.
  
• Children abuse animals to release the aggression they feel toward abusive adults because of psychological trauma.
  
• Abused children may not develop empathy and sympathy. Children who have never developed empathy cannot feel that another is a real person as they are. They cannot feel the distress or agony of hurting someone, and the act itself does not register as wrong.
  
• Abused children and abusive adults will act out aggression and violence in the absence of empathy. Acting out against an animal is usually the first step toward human violence. Having validated the lack of “feelings” through their act of violence toward an animal, the child will eventually act out aggressively and violently toward other people.
  
• Animal assisted therapy can teach abused children empathy, bring healing and break the cycle of violence.
  
• Intervention at the point of animal cruelty will prevent future human violence. Early intervention is more likely to reduce adult crime than criminal sanctions applied later in life.
  
• Intervention at the point of animal cruelty by Humane Agents (Capital Area Humane Society Animal Law Enforcement Officers) can provide the court the opportunity to mandate counseling in sentencing. When entering homes while investigating animal cruelty, Humane Agents look for signs of family abuse or violence. Agents are trained in the recognition and reporting of child and domestic abuse.
  

Reporting Animal Abuse

ll reports of cruelty to animals are taken seriously by the Capital Area Humane Society. To report cruelty, please contact the Capital Area Humane Society at (614) 777-7387, ext. 250.