Is there a hidden link between animal abuse and child safeguarding? Explore the research behind this connection and its impact on protecting children in and out of school.

Research from the PDSA states that over 51% of UK households have a pet. We are known as “a nation of animal lovers” and certainly for many of us, our pets are part of the family. Dog, cat, rabbit, budgie, stick insect – no matter the kind, we form bonds with them and care for their wellbeing.

Increasingly there is research on the benefits of pet ownership – such as encouraging physical activity and providing emotional support and company.

As one of those doting pet owners (I am an unashamed dog-mum, whose spoiled pooch gets Christmas presents, sleeps on the bed and generally rules the household), news stories of abuse committed towards animals are hard to digest.

It over-simplifies the situation to ask why people have pets if they don’t want to care for them correctly because we could also ask why abusers have children if they are going to harm them.

The answers are complex and often deeply hidden.

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence or Neglect

Another complexity – which we as professionals in the children’s workforce must recognise – is that there is a detectable link between animal abuse or neglect and abuse or neglect to other family members, which may occur in situations where there is domestic abuse in the household.

Equally, if a child perpetrates harm to an animal, it may be an indicator the child has suffered neglect or abuse.

Most research in this area has been carried out in the US, but there is a growing understanding that it happens here too. That’s why we are talking about it in this blog. Conversations about pets that occur in the classroom, for example, might be another piece of the jigsaw that shows the child’s lived experience. The American Humane Association describes it simply like this:

“When animals are abused, people are at risk; When people are abused, animals are at risk.”

In terms of domestic abuse, more than seven in ten victims of domestic violence in one US study stated their partner had physically harmed or threatened their pet in front of them.

This can be a method of controlling victims – who may feel they are unable to leave their homes for fear of the harm that would come to the animal.

Some pets are killed as a means of showing what could happen to a family member. We can support by signposting to charities that accept pets in refuges or offer short-term pet “foster placements” such as that provided by Dogs’ Trust.

Many of the families in US studies where there were investigations into animal abuse were also known to social services due to concerns about significant risk to children. In particular, where children disclose sexual abuse, there is shown to be a higher likelihood that they may go on to harm animals – this was five times higher in one study.

Unfortunately, UK research has suggested that children abusing animals to some degree is more common than previously reported (and may dispel the myth that we are all a nation of animal lovers).

Where the harm to animals is more extreme there is often evidence this is perpetrated by children who have been abused. Children may have become desensitised to violence and may not have developed empathy as would be typical for their age and stage of development.

Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Statistics

• 70% of people who have committed animal abuse also had criminal records that included crimes of violence, property, drugs, or disorderly behaviour (Arluke & Luke, 1997)
• 71% of women who experienced domestic abuse said their partners had harmed, killed or threatened pets (Ascione, Weber & Wood, 1997)
• 60% of families where child abuse took place were also found guilty of animal abuse (DeViney, Dickert & Lockwood, 1983)
• 63% of ‘aggressive’ criminals were found to have deliberately harmed animals in childhood (Schiff, Louw, & Ascione, 1999)
• 70% of people charged with cruelty to animals were also known by police for other kinds of violent behaviour (Boat & Knight, 2000)
• 5% of convicted animal abusers had committed assault and 17% had committed sexual assault (Clarke, 2002)

Key Signs and Actions

So, it is worth spending time talking to your staff about recording anything they hear, or witness, regarding a child’s pet – particularly looking at five domains:

1. Is the physical environment safe and suitable for a pet?
2. Is the pet provided a suitable diet in the right quantities?
3. Is the animal kept healthy, with injury and disease treated promptly?
4. Is the animal allowed to display typical behaviour for their species?
5. Does the pet have appropriate companionship from people or other pets?

Your staff won’t be animal welfare experts, but anything that appears extreme or cruel might be obvious. For example, a dog who appears to be too thin, who staff see when the parent picks up the child, might point to concern about nutrition and potential neglect in the household and might be worth recording.

On its own, it wouldn’t meet the threshold for referral, but it could build up a picture. It’s also important to make referrals to the RSPCA if we have concerns.

If a child talks of a cat with an injured paw that hasn’t been taken to the vet – is it an indication of neglect or maybe of poverty?

Signposting to charities which provide free vet treatment to the pets of people who can’t afford to pay can help – these organisations do exist, though they can be restricted to certain geographical areas and certain animals. For example, PDSA, RSPCA and Blue Cross have these facilities. It might also be a prompt to engage in a wider Early Help conversation with a family to show the offer of support available locally for humans as well as animals.

It’s also worth pointing out that if an animal is abused or neglected, it may become fearful and scared animals can attack. This means any unexplained injuries to a child could be from a harmed pet.

Final Thoughts on Animal Abuse and Child Safeguarding

20^th February was National Love Your Pet Day – so now may be a good time to consider when we raise awareness of this among our staff.

Not all children who hurt animals become violent adults of course, and not all adult animal abusers hurt their partners or children.

However, if we start to include routine questions about animals and their welfare in our interactions with children and family members it can help us to ascertain any risks to the safety and well-being of all family members.

About the Author

Jo Perrin - Interim School Support Lead,  Adviser, Services For Education

Jo Perrin is a seasoned Education Adviser with a strong background in safeguarding. She has held key roles as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and pastoral lead in the education sector. Facilitating training to enhance the knowledge and skills of professionals working directly with children and young people is her passion.

With a wealth of experience in teaching PSHE and expertise in childhood trauma from her time as a foster carer, Jo is dedicated to supporting organisations that work with children and vulnerable adults on safeguarding issues. She is actively involved in professional safeguarding groups in the West Midlands and is currently collaborating on a research project with colleagues from the University of Birmingham and the NHS focusing on FGM awareness within communities. Jo’s has worked as a West Midlands' Adviser for national PSHE resources, presented at the Sex Education Forum National Members' Event and authored an advertorial for PSM magazine and an article for SEND magazine.

Jo's expertise extends to training on topics such as Safer Recruitment and Mental Health at Work. She is also a facilitator for the nationally recognised NPQSL qualification, supporting senior leaders in education. Her contributions to publications and development of resources for RSE provision have been well-received by schools nationally and internationally.

With her extensive experience and dedication to professional development, Jo Perrin is a highly respected figure in the field of education. Her guidance on safeguarding, mental health awareness, personal development, and relationships education is highly valued within the industry.

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