Abusive partners often threaten pets
Hurting animals a form of control, experts say

Judith Lavoie
Times Colonist

April 26, 2005

Women trying to leave abusive relationships are often held back by partners' threats to kill or hurt family pets, say those who work with the victims of domestic violence.

"It's very much a power and control issue. They threaten to hurt something the woman treasures or loves," said Parm Kroad, manager of Victoria Transition House. Some women who leave their animals return later to find their partners have euthanized the pet, given it away, or worse, Kroad said.

A government-produced pamphlet now being handed out at SPCA shelters and transition houses quotes a 25-year-old woman as saying, "Because I was late getting home, my husband put the cat in the microwave."

A 10-year-old boy quoted in the pamphlet says, "Daddy got mad and threw the puppy down the garbage chute."

Carolyn Fast, executive director of the transition house, said when a woman is isolated -- as many victims of family violence are -- a relationship with an animal can be part of her survival strategy. "The threats are part of the whole emotional abuse package."

To deal with the problem, the transition house now asks women planning to leave abusive relationships whether there's an animal in the home and if it's safe. The SPCA or a local veterinary clinic make arrangements to have the animals boarded free of charge and their shots updated while their owners are in the shelter.

"They are just wonderful -- they are so well-versed in the issue of abuse and how the animal bears the brunt of the abuse if [the woman] leaves," Kroad said.

Jay Rolfe, a veterinarian at Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital on Roderick Street, said the link between animal abuse and violence against people is well-documented, and growing awareness of the connection has resulted in increased reports of animal abuse.

"Rather than saying, 'It's just an animal,' they are saying, 'This is not just an animal. It's a member of the family,'" said Rolfe, who wants to see tougher laws against cruelty to animals.

The federal law has seen few changes since the late 1800s -- promised amendments that would see stricter penalties for animal abuse have been delayed for almost five years.

A 1998 study by the Ontario SPCA that surveyed women leaving abusive relationships found 61 per cent had had pets abused or killed by their partners. Almost half said concern about the safety of their pets prevented them from leaving sooner.

A 1983 New Jersey study of more than 50 families where child abuse had occurred found that when the child abuse was physical, a staggering 88 per cent reported pets had been abused or killed.

This week is Prevention of Violence Against Women Week in B.C. and local organizations are working together to raise awareness about the help available to victims of domestic violence.

In 2003, a total of 9,186 spousal assaults were reported in B.C. -- the highest incidence of abuse in the country.