Deliberate cruelty, or threatened cruelty, to animals is a form of violence. Besides being harmful to a living creature that is capable of feeling pain, animal cruelty can be one of the earliest predictors that an individual is developing a pattern of seeking power and control by inflicting suffering on others. It can also be an indicator of other kinds of violence being perpetrated on family members or others.
As a result, animal cruelty, or threatened animal cruelty, is often present in cases of family violence. More specifically, many studies in Canada and the U.S. have shown that, amongst other things:
- family pets are often targets in domestic violence, and threats of violence toward a pet are often used as a means of control by an abusive family member; and
- many victims of domestic violence remain in an abusive situation out of concern for the safety of their pets or livestock.
In Alberta, there are legal options to deal with existing, or threatened, animal cruelty in situations of domestic violence.
- The first is the Alberta Protection Against Family Violence Act. Under that act, a judge (or justice of the peace) may make “any provision” that s/he “considers necessary to provide for the immediate protection” of the person asking for the order of protection (known as the “claimant”). In such a case, the animal/pet would be treated as “property” (as, in law, an animal is not a person and, therefore, not a ‘family member’) and a judge could make an order about that property (for example: a provision that the animal be in the exclusive possession of the claimant). Given that an abused person may stay in an abusive situation in order to protect an animal, thereby jeopardizing his/her own safety, it can be argued that in order to immediately protect that individual, an order regarding the animal may be required. In order for that to happen, however, abused persons need to know that this is a possibility (many do not). Also, lawyers — or police officers or social workers — acting in behalf of the claimant need to know that they can ask a judge for such a provision.
- In addition, if you have cause to believe there is animal abuse occurring in your community, you can report it to the appropriate SPCA or humane society for your area. The staff who take the calls will help to identify the nature of the situation and the appropriate response. Your call will be treated in confidence, though your name and contact information may be required in case further information is needed. If cases go to court, you may need to provide written or verbal testimony.
SPCA Research Study
- Have you experienced domestic violence that impacted your pets or livestock?
- Did concern for those animals affect your decisions about seeking safety?
- Are you willing to be interviewed for a study that will help others?
An Alberta research study looking at how the presence of livestock/pets affected domestic violence situations is seeking participants who willing to be interviewed about their experience. Anyone who had pets/livestock while living in an abusive home situation can volunteer for the interviews. If you provide permission, your children in grades 6 or higher can also be interviewed.
The study, which runs until Decemeber 2011, is sponsored by the Alberta SPCA and is being conducted by researchers from the University of Calgary and an education consulting group. The project received clearance from the University of Calgary Research Ethics Board. Your identity will be kept confidential. The information you provide will help other families and animals in the future
If you are willing to participate, please call Donna at 403-650-4608 or email spcaresearch@gmail.com.
Special thanks to the Alberta SPCA for its assistance in the creation of this blog post.