The Toxic Triad: Animal Cruelty, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence The Toxic Triad: Animal Cruelty, Child Abuse and Domestic Violence CHILD ABUSE Barbara. W. Boat, Ph.D. The Childhood Trust Cincinnati Children s Hospital Medical Center University of Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANIMAL CRUELTY AKA Kids and Their Pets What every forensic interviewer, medical/legal professional and therapist should know Historical links between violence to animals and violence to children 1866: Henry Bergh founds the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 1874: The Case of Mary Ellen 1875: Henry Bergh founds the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Why should I obtain information about the child s experiences with animals? Kids Have Pets More people have pets than have children More pets in U.S. than people in all of Europe 79% of families with children have pets Pets as Family 63% of U.S. households have at least one pet 99% of owners consider their pet a family member 83% refer to themselves as their pet's mom or dad 76% feel guilty about leaving their pet when they go to work 59% celebrate their pet s birthday 52% are better at remembering names of a neighbors pets than names of actual neighbors
Why should I obtain information about the child s experiences with animals? Why should I obtain information about the child s experiences with animals? The behavior that harms the animal is the same behavior that harms the human. Lynn Loar, Ph.D. Assist with rapport building Uncensored information from the child Sources of additional corroborating information Pet-Related Questions for Children (Rapport Building) Do you have pets or other animals at your house? Who takes care of? Do you think your pet is safe at your house? Does anyone hurt? or Does ever get hurt? How is trained or taught to be good? Have you ever lost a pet or animal you really cared about? What happened? Do you ever worry about something bad happening to your pet? Get uncensored information from children in response to the question: Was there ever a time when you were upset and your pet was a source of comfort? I would cry and hold my dog after my dad beat me. Mom and step-dad had a fight. My dog jumped up and slept with me all night and licked my tears off. My cat - when dad was hitting me and stuff - just by coming up to me. Have you ever been bitten or frightened by an animal? CHILD ABUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANIMAL CRUELTY Nearly every serial killer has abused animals Richard Trenton Chase Sacramento Vampire Albert DeSalvo Boston Strangler David Berkowitz Son of Sam Jeffrey Dahmer
One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an DSM Classification of Cruelty to Animals as a Symptom of Mental Disorder DSM III and earlier: Not mentioned animal and get away with it. DSM III R (1988): Included under Destruction Of Property as diagnostic of Conduct Disorder Margaret Mead (1964) DSM IV (1994): Included under Violence Against Others as diagnostic of Conduct Disorder Conduct Disorder... persistent pattern of conduct in which basic rights of others and major age-appropriate societal norms or rules are violated... DSM IV little empathy or concern for feelings, wishes or well-being of others misperceive intentions of others as hostile or threatening respond with justified aggression callous, lacking guilt or remorse Conduct Disorder (312.8) Aggression to people and animals (1) often bullies, threatens, or intimidates (2) often initiates fights (3) has used a weapon that can cause serious physical harm to others (4) has been physically cruel to people (5) has been physically cruel to animals (earliest appearing symptom: mean onset 6.5 years) (6) has stolen while confronting a victim (7) has forced someone into sexual activity Destruction of property Deceitfulness or theft Serious violations of rules (DSM IV) Motivations for Cruelty / Aggression to Animals Curiosity / experimentation Inadvertent harm Peer reinforcement Mood modification Species prejudice Displaced hostility / punishment Imitating adult discipline Instrument of aggression / emotional abuse Frightening / coercing another Retaliation / revenge (Adapted from Kellert and Felthous, 1985, Ascione, 1993) Motivations for Cruelty / Aggression to Animals Rehearsal of violent behavior Rehearsal of suicidal behavior Posttraumatic reenactment Implement of self-injury Traumatic stress reaction Hurting to nurture Sexual pleasure (adapted from Kellert and Felthous, 1985; Ascione, 1993)
DEMOGRAPHICS OF INTENTIONAL ABUSERS Almost universally male Usually adolescent to young adult Often the victim of physical or sexual abuse Inability to manage anger Low self-esteem and poor peer relations Often involved in other antisocial acts - arson, vandalism, assault What questions should I ask? The Childhood Trust Animal-Related Experiences 10 Screening Questions Number of pets Favorite or special pet Pet as support or comfort Pet harmed, lost, worries about pet Seen someone hurt an animal Hurt an animal Been frightened or hurt by an animal CHILD ABUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANIMAL CRUELTY Incidence of Animal Abuse in 53 Child-Abusing Families Animal abuse was reported in 88% of homes referred for physical abuse of children, compared with 34% of homes referred for neglect or children-at-risk Animal abuse perpetrated by fathers (2/3) and children (1/3) Abusive households had more pets under 2 years of age and fewer over 2 DeViney, Dickert and Lockwood (1983) The care of pets in child-abusing families. International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems Incidence of Animal Abuse in 53 Child-Abusing Families Pets had injured a family member in 69% of animal abusive households vs. 6% in non-abusive households 11 x more likely to be bitten Dog Bites Definition: Bite is medically-attended or reported to animal control or law enforcement (Canine Aggression Task Force, JAVMA, 128, 11, June 2001) DeViney, Dickert and Lockwood (1983) The care of pets in child-abusing families. International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems
Dog Bites: Impact / Year 334,000 people: emergency departments 466,000 people: other medical settings 6,000 hospitalized $1 billion in homeowners liability claims Dog Bites and Children 50% victims are children under age 12 70% fatal attacks involve children Known animals many are pets $102.4 million emergency visits claims Canine Aggression Task Force, JAVMA, 128, 11, June 1, 2001 Canine Aggression Task Force, JAVMA, 128, 11, June 1, 2001 Cincinnati Children s Hospital Medical Center Dog bites to children: During a 4 year period there were more than 2000 admissions to Emergency. Cincinnati Enquirer 2010 5 year old girl playing in the backyard Family pit bull gets out of crate; attacks child Mother tries to rescue; also bitten Father charged with failure to confine a vicious dog and carry mandatory liability insurance Pediatric Dog Bite Victims: A Need for a Continuum of Care 34 children and their families Assessed ongoing needs 1 month post ED visit for dog bite 70% at least 1 new concerning behavior in child 85% parents endorsed concerns about their own reactions Majority endorsed interventions to help children with post-bite fears, education on dog bite prevention and offering additional supportive services in the ED Wish List When Children Are Treated For Dog Bites Consider screening for abuse or neglect Follow up to assess trauma reactions in child and caregiver Provide options for follow up interventions including: Therapeutic Legal Dog safety Dog training Boat, Dixon, Pearl, Thieken and Bucher (2012) Clinical Pediatrics
Raising Awareness- Forever! Aaagghhh someone call 911. I m being mauled by a troll! Gain Additional Information About Child s Environment Observe pets in the family setting: Food, water, shelter Frightened, cowering, aggressive Injuries Filthy house (feces, etc.) Owning a vicious dog Food for pet, not child ( failure- to- thrive) Ownership of vicious dogs as a marker for deviant behavior 355 dog owners High-risk cited dogs vs. Low-risk licensed dogs High-risk owners: 14.1 x more likely to be convicted of a crime involving alcohol 9.1 x children 7.7 x drugs 3.0 x domestic violence Barnes, Boat, Putnam, Dates & Mahlman, (2006) Journal of Interpersonal Violence Summary High risk dogs are part of a high risk life style. Owners of high risk cited dogs have significantly more criminal convictions than owners of licensed low risk dogs. Ownership of high risk cited dogs is a significant marker for general deviance
Gain Additional Information About Child s Environment Observe child and adult behaviors: Abusive language, yelling Rough handling (throwing, kicking) Bragging about dog s fighting skills Trying to run over or chasing with bike or car Fears Informants Teachers (classroom animals) Neighbors ( see abuse/neglect outdoors) Veterinary reports of injuries or malnutrition Necropsy reports Animal control citations Common Legal Definitions of Animal Cruelty Causing death in an inhumane manner Abandoning an animal in an environment in which it is incapable of surviving Providing poor sanitary conditions, lack of proper nutrition or shelter, lack of veterinary care or inhumane confinement Inflicting pain beyond forms of discipline commonly accepted in society Prior Criminal Activities of 14 Dog Fighters in Lucas County, OH Aggravated Burglary - 3 Hand Gun ID - 2 Aggravated Menacing - 2 Kidnapping (Weapon) - 1 Aggravated Robbery - 2 Loitering - 31 Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs - 5 Obstructing Police - 9 Animal Complaints - 47 Passing Bad Checks - 3 Assaults - 4 Peace Bond - 4 Carrying Concealed Weapon - 5 Perjury - 1 Criminal Damaging - 2 Providing After Hours Location 2 Criminal Tools - 1 Public Indecency - 2 Criminal Trespass - 2 Rape (Weapon) - 1 DC Intoxication - 21 Receiving Stolen Property - 1 Dog fighting - 8 Resisting - 7 Domestic Violence - 2 Soliciting - 9 Drug Abuse - 15 Theft - 19 Escape - 1 Unauthorized Use of Vehicle - 1 Failure to Appear - 2 Vehicle Traffic Offenses - 206 False Information to police - 6 Wanted (Warrants) - 13 Grand Theft Auto - 2 Weapons Under Disability - 1 S.B. No. 121 January 2003 Ohio Revised Code Cruelty to companion animals: cats and dogs 1 st conviction: first degree misdemeanor 2 nd conviction: fifth degree felony Humane agents are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect Other investigators are responsible for reporting animal abuse and neglect Suggestions Request and incorporate your county humane agent s or animal control officer s observations Put your county humane agent or animal control officer on your multi-disciplinary team Take your county humane agent or animal control officer to lunch!
CHILD ABUSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANIMAL CRUELTY Batters more dangerous if abuse pets 1,283 female pet owners in DV shelters 25% experienced pet abuse Batterers more likely to use physical, sexual and emotional violence and stalking Address in treatment and safety planning Simmons,C.A.& Lehmann, P. (2007) Exploring the link between pet abuse and controlling behaviors in violent relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22(9), 1211-1222. Lethality Assessment 3 top indicators that a woman will be killed by her batterer Homicide or suicide gestures / threats Access to weapons Threat to mutilate or kill pets Sheltering Animals and Families Together 2.3 million people victims of IPV; 62% have pets; up to 48% of women do not leave for fear of abuse to their animals Since 2010: 69 shelters in U.S. with SAF-T 30 states Onsite shelters: alliephillips.com Offsite shelters: Ahimsa House website: www/ahimsahouse.org/directory Cincinnati YWCA Battered Women s Shelter Telephone Interview Children? Any pets? Pets need to get out of your home? Need place for pets to stay while you are in shelter? (The SPCA will shelter your pets.) Lethality questions: Weapons? Use alcohol or drugs? Threatened to kill you? Ever harmed a pet? Criminal history? State Laws are Protecting Pets and People in Domestic Violence Cases Maine was first in 2006 Judges can now include pets in protective orders in 21 States, DC and Puerto Rico North Carolina is on the list! Texas is latest: Prohibits removing, harming, threatening pets, companion animals or assistance animals living in the household
Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Abuse in Child Abuse or Domestic Violence Cases Include questions about pets in the forensic interviews of children and adults Gather corroborating evidence from animal investigator or vet ( neglect, injuries, etc.) Charge animal abuse if present Do NOT dismiss animal abuse charges! A plea to animal abuse can result in important interventions: Protective orders for family and pets Probation orders prohibiting ownership Evaluation and counseling Allie Phillips, Attorney NEW! National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse (NCPPA) Program of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) with ASPCA and Animal Legal Defense Fund Lists state animal cruelty laws and provisions for psychiatric evaluations and counseling for cruelty offenders Webinars Technical assistance for prosecutors Publications and the Tales of Justice newsletter Allie Phillips, J.D.,Director Two Helpful Tools The Childhood Trust Survey on Animal-Related Experiences (CTSARE) The Childhood Trust Events Survey (CTES) Ohiocando4kids.org Exposure to animal cruelty harms children and society Intervention Planning Sexually Reactive Children and Animals Creates idea that child, like the pet, is expendable Damages sense of safety and confidence in ability of adults to protect them from harm Leads to acceptance of physical harm in allegedly loving relationships Fosters seeking of empowerment by inflicting pain and suffering Promotes desensitization/decreases empathy Leads to imitation of abusive behaviors Four Cases from the Netherlands 5 y/o girl: cat licking genitals 3 y/o boy: mounting cat 4 y/o girl: cat licking genitals 11 y/o girl: dog licking genitals
Evolving Models of The Link The National Link Coalition The LINK Letter : monthly report about the connections between animal abuse and other forms of violence www.nationallinkcoalition.org Phil Arkow, Editor Barbara Walling Boat, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences University of Cincinnati College of Medicine ML 0539 Cincinnati, OH 45267 513-558-9007 Fax: 513-558-4107 Email: barbara.boat@uc.edu