From Deseret News archives:
Animal abuse aimed at kids
Professor says intent is to frighten, intimidate
Threaten the family pet.
The issue of threatening, hurting or killing family pets has emerged as a critical component in the domestic violence puzzle, say experts on the topic. A Utah State University professor's research about the connection between cruelty toward animals and domestic violence has heightened awareness about the issue.
"Often the animal abuse is purposefully done in front of the kids," said Frank Ascione, a USU psychology professor. "And it is most often done to frighten or intimidate family members."
Ascione has conducted extensive research on the link between mistreating animals and mistreating women. One of his studies showed 71 percent of women in a Utah shelter for battered women said their partner had threatened or hurt the woman's pet.
Interviews with 700 women in shelters revealed that family pets had been hurt or killed in more than half the households.
"It is quite startling," Ascione said, especially considering the fact that 70 to 80 percent of Americans have a pet of some kind.
In one case, a man bludgeoned a kitten with a hammer in front of his wife and 4-year-old daughter, he said.
This research some of the first of its kind in the nation has spawned efforts to bring pets under the umbrella of family victims in domestic violence cases.
In Utah, officials have made several attempts to consider pets in the larger scope of domestic violence. They've been successful in some efforts and failed in others.
Some shelters, for example, are reconsidering allowing pets to come with families.
Ascione's research was cited by Maine Rep. John Piotti, a Democrat who sponsored a Maine bill expanding the scope of protective orders to include pets.
This winter, Rep. Scott Wyatt, R-Logan, had support of the Utah Domestic Violence Council when he submitted HB342 to the Utah Legislature. The bill would have allowed judges to include household pets in protective orders.
He said the change in law will help women who might be reluctant to leave abusive relationships because of what might happen to their pets.
The bill unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee and eventually made it out of the House but was killed by the Senate.
Sen. Jon Greiner, R-Ogden, was a vocal opponent. Greiner, who is also Ogden's police chief, said the bill would burden law enforcement agencies. During its Senate committee public hearing, he also questioned whether the move would really help protect domestic abuse victims.
Ascione said this kind of thinking is a mistake. Children go through trauma enough when their victim parent leaves an abusive relationship.
"These kids are separated from where they live," he said. "The last insult to them is that you can't take your pet with you."
E-mail: lucy@desnews.com
Comments
- Iverson may be headed to 76ers 12:34 a.m.
- Credit Coug defense for win 12:33 a.m.
- Aggies blow away T-birds 12:32 a.m.
- Mo steals show in Cavaliers' victory 12:31 a.m.
- Editorial: Facilitate Big Brother? 12:22 a.m.
- Mom befriends wife of PTSD vet 12:21 a.m.
- Political clash over U.S. debt 12:21 a.m.
- Cougar defense rose to occasion 12:21 a.m.
- Lawmakers face ethics debate 12:19 a.m.
- Guv says to tax hike, others say yes 12:19 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Running game key to BYU offense
- Woods, wife unavailable for interview
- Idaho woman dies after fall
- Cougars beat Utes, 26-23
394 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
130 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
70
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
It's BEER, not acid people! Some people love having it sprayed on themselves....
I believe Max Hall cemented his legacy tonight with his lack of...
I find it interesting that these comment come after a so-so performance in a...
If you really think BYU is more arrogant than USC or UCLA or so many other...
cougars baby!!!!!
I have one word for the BYU AND UTAH fans: TCU!!!! hahahaha
Two great examples of lack of class surfaced tonight: Pete Carroll, USC's...
Don't forget my favorite Max stat. 2 out of 3. Yeah, I bet that...
Thanks for the comment Max! I hope you keep on playing just like you have...
Neat article! (Yes, I'm a little biased :) It's been an exciting time to be...




You can be the first to comment on this story.