Connecting the dots in military and civilian family courts: Animal abuse's links to other family violence

Abstract

An additional form of family violence that frequently is associated with juvenile and intimate partner violence and sexual assault is animal cruelty. While this dynamic is now well researched among civilian populations, it has not as yet been widely addressed in active and retired military communities where unique factors affecting service members, veterans, and their families may exacerbate the risks of interpersonal and interspecies violence. This article describes both the beneficial aspects of human–animal bonds and the adverse impacts of animal abuse among civilian, active, and veteran military service members and their families. It notes the U.S. military's limited responses to acts of animal cruelty and encourages military court judges, Family Advocacy Program centers, military veterinarians, and other stakeholders to gain more insights into both the beneficial aspects of human–animal bonds and the adverse impacts of animal abuse as a potential indicator and predictor of violence against humans. Increased awareness of the link between animal abuse and human violence can be relevant in preventing and responding to intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and problematic juvenile behaviors in both civilian and military-connected families.