Resources
- Animal Law Events & Opportunities
- Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Law Summer School
- The Animals’ Advocate
- Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 5
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 4
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 3
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 2
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 1
- December 2016 Animal Law Update
- November 2016 Animal Law Update
- October 2016 Animal Law Update
- September 2016 Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- August 2016 Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- How Can Non-Lawyers Get Involved in Animal Law?
- Cruelty-Free Resource Guide
- Advocating For Animals
- Writing Letters to the Editors
- When Goldfish Are “Animals” – Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty
- Legal Guide for Activists
- Puppy Mills Require Ongoing Legislative Attention
- Charging Considerations in Criminal Animal Abuse Cases
- Dealing with Aggressive Dogs: Community Solutions That Consider Each Dog, Not Their Breed
- Speak Out for Farmed Animals Week
- Pet Theft
- Captive Animals and the Law
- Young Advocate Action Kit
- First Strike and You’re Out: A Model Law
- Attending a Criminal Court Proceeding
- Farmed Animals and the Law
- Tips For Writing to Law Enforcement
- Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America and Canada
- Model Animal Protection Laws Collection
- Working with Legislators
- Support Stronger Penalties for Dogfighting
- Find Your Elected Officials
- ALDF Legislative Posters
- 30 Second Animal Law
- Natural Disasters
- When Your Companion Animal Has Been Harmed
- What to do in cases where anti-cruelty laws have been broken
- What to do if a companion animal you purchased became sick or died soon afterwards
- What to do when your companion animal has been injured or killed
- Victim Impact Statements in Cases of Animal Cruelty
- Dogs Shot by Cops: Companion Animals and Law Enforcement
- Damages for Death or Injury of an Animal
- What to do when you believe a vet has harmed or killed your companion animal
- How to find an attorney to help you with your animal-related issues
- Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence
- No Boundaries for Abusers: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
- Loss, Grief, and Mourning
- The Legal Process In The United States
- Other Issues Regarding Your Companion Animal
- What to do if you are involved in a custody battle over your companion animal
- What to do if your dog is in danger of being declared vicious, or if your dog has bitten someone who is now suing you
- How to handle landlord/tenant disputes over companion animals
- Nuisance Issues and Some Steps Toward Resolving Conflicts
- Including Animals in Your Will
- Keep Animals Safe and Warm This Winter
- When You Witness Animal Cruelty
- What to do when you find animals in substandard conditions at a pet store
- What to do about substandard conditions at your local animal shelter
- How to help a neighbor’s neglected animal
- National Directory of Abuse Investigation Agencies by the National LINK Coalition
- ALDF Suggests: What To Do if You Witness Animal Cruelty Online
- Why Prosecutors Don’t Prosecute
- Animal Hoarding Facts
- Animal Testing and the Law
- Laws & Cases
- Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Abuse
- Honoring Animal Victims: Landmarks in Legislation
- The Case Against Navy Sonar Testing – Joshua Horwitz’ War of the Whales
- The Animal Legal and Historical Center
- NAVS Animal Law Resource Center
- Veterinarian’s Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
- Solutions to Long-Term Cases in States Without Pre-Conviction Forfeiture Provision
- Animal Fighting Facts
- Animal Fighting Case Study: Michael Vick
- Animal Neglect Facts
- Animal Fighting Case Study: Craig Boyd
- Animal Hoarding Case Study: Vikki Kittles
- Oregon’s Felony Animal Cruelty Law – The “Kittles Bill”
- Confronting Animal Neglect – An ALDF Report on Current Law and Future Possibilities
- The Crime of Bestiality/Zoophilia: Sexual Assault of an Animal
- Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Keating
- Law Professional & Law Student Resources
- Animal Law Boot Camp
- Law Professionals
- Attorney Application for Pro Bono Program Membership
- Your Experience and Knowledge May Qualify You as an Expert Witness
- Animal Law Program Attorney Member Update
- How Legal Professionals Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- The Early History of Animal Law
- Paralegal Application for Pro Bono Program Membership
- Bar Association Animal Law Sections and Committees
- Animal Law Instructor Website
- Law Student & SALDF Chapter Resources
- Back to School with Joyce Tischler
- Get Involved in Speak Out for Farmed Animals Week!
- Animal Legal Defense Fund Fellowships
- SALDF Travel Grants
- Animal Legal Defense Fund Clerkships
- SALDF Tabling Materials
- SALDF Project Grants
- How Law Students Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) Program Guides
- SALDF Project Ideas
- SALDF Film Screening Suggestions
- SALDF Speaker Suggestions
- How Undergraduate Students Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- SALDF Summit
- Opportunities in Animal Law
- Social Media 101
- Press Coverage for SALDF Projects
- SALDF Calendar
- SALDF Chapter Resources & Opportunities Webinar
- Get Involved in National Justice for Animals Week!
- The Animal Legal Defense Fund Presents the 2017 New Voices in Animal Law Writing Contest
- Career Advice for Aspiring Animal Attorneys
- The Animal Legal Defense Fund Presents the 2018 New Voices in Animal Law Writing Contest
- Law Student Application for Animal Law Program Membership
- Animal Law Books & Periodicals
- Where Should You Go To Law School?
- Free Packet for Graduating SALDF Members
- How to Start an Animal Law Class at Your School
- How to Start a SALDF Chapter at Your School
- Animal Law Courses
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapters
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter of the Year Award
- Q&A with ALDF Staff Attorney about Pursuing a Career in Animal Law
- Free ALDF Attorney Membership for New Law School Graduates
- ALDF Virtual Town Hall Meetings for SALDF Chapters
- ALDF Attorney and Paralegal Spotlights
- Fran Ortiz
- Legal Professional Spotlight: The Pro Bono Legal Team Working on the Barkworks Lawsuit
- Megan Senatori
- The Pro Bono Legal Team Who Helped Free Ricky the Bear
- Ali Langlais
- Meena Alagappan
- Attorney Spotlight: Monte Cooper, Karen Johnson-McKewan, Derek Knerr, and Scott Lindlaw
- Robert Knaier
- Gabriela Sandoval
- Tony Eliseuson
- Pamela Frasch and Kathy Hessler
- Monica Frois, Erin Pelleteri, and Brandy Sheely
- Rene Kathawala
- Susann MacLachlan
- Attorney Spotlight: Robert Brownstone and Kevin Moore
- Gavin Parsons
- Jerry Simonelli
- Meet the Pro Bono Legal Team Who Helped ALDF Take on the King Kong Zoo
- David Zaft
- Evan Dwin
- Morgan Hector
- Chris Wlach
- Tara Zuardo
- Attorney Spotlight: Joseph S. Goode, Mark Leitner, and Jessica Farley
- Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Michael Von Zamft
- Jonathan Schopf
- Jeffrey Bramson
- Laura Miller
- Requesting an ALDF Amicus Curiae Brief
No Boundaries for Abusers: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
Obviously, animal abuse is a heinous crime. But it can be more than that. In many cases, it’s a sign that people are also being abused — or soon will be.
Several academic studies have found a clear link between animal cruelty during youth and violence against humans as an adult. This link is so well established, profilers routinely use animal cruelty reports in their assessment of the possible threat criminals pose.
Studies have also found that men who abuse their domestic partners often target the family’s companion animals, as well. An abused dog or cat often means there’s a bruised child, spouse or elder in the same home.
The legal experts at the Animal Legal Defense Fund work closely with law enforcement agencies across the country to ensure that animal abuse cases are taken seriously. In doing so, they frequently find themselves educating prosecutors and police officers about the link between crimes against animals and crimes against humans.
“Sometimes it helps them understand how important it is to vigorously pursue these cases,” says Lora Dunn, director of the Animal Legal Defense Funds Criminal Justice Program. “When someone is prosecuted for animal abuse, it sends a signal to other potential abusers in the community. It says violent behavior won’t be tolerated. And it also puts a mark on the abuser’s
permanent record so in the future law enforcement officials know this is
somebody who has these dangerous tendencies.”
Resources:
Animal Cruelty’s Link to Other Forms of Community Violence (PDF)
Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty
Poster: “Battered Women Share Their Homes With Battered Animals” (PDF)
Stay Connected
Sign up for Action Alerts.
Resources
- Animal Law Events & Opportunities
- Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Law Summer School
- The Animals’ Advocate
- Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 5
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 4
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 3
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 2
- 2017 Animal Law Update Volume 1
- December 2016 Animal Law Update
- November 2016 Animal Law Update
- October 2016 Animal Law Update
- September 2016 Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- August 2016 Animal Law Update: Recent Developments in the Emerging Field of Animal Law
- How Can Non-Lawyers Get Involved in Animal Law?
- Cruelty-Free Resource Guide
- Advocating For Animals
- Writing Letters to the Editors
- When Goldfish Are “Animals” – Domestic Violence and Animal Cruelty
- Legal Guide for Activists
- Puppy Mills Require Ongoing Legislative Attention
- Charging Considerations in Criminal Animal Abuse Cases
- Dealing with Aggressive Dogs: Community Solutions That Consider Each Dog, Not Their Breed
- Speak Out for Farmed Animals Week
- Pet Theft
- Captive Animals and the Law
- Young Advocate Action Kit
- First Strike and You’re Out: A Model Law
- Attending a Criminal Court Proceeding
- Farmed Animals and the Law
- Tips For Writing to Law Enforcement
- Animal Protection Laws of the United States of America and Canada
- Model Animal Protection Laws Collection
- Working with Legislators
- Support Stronger Penalties for Dogfighting
- Find Your Elected Officials
- ALDF Legislative Posters
- 30 Second Animal Law
- Natural Disasters
- When Your Companion Animal Has Been Harmed
- What to do in cases where anti-cruelty laws have been broken
- What to do if a companion animal you purchased became sick or died soon afterwards
- What to do when your companion animal has been injured or killed
- Victim Impact Statements in Cases of Animal Cruelty
- Dogs Shot by Cops: Companion Animals and Law Enforcement
- Damages for Death or Injury of an Animal
- What to do when you believe a vet has harmed or killed your companion animal
- How to find an attorney to help you with your animal-related issues
- Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence
- No Boundaries for Abusers: The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
- Loss, Grief, and Mourning
- The Legal Process In The United States
- Other Issues Regarding Your Companion Animal
- What to do if you are involved in a custody battle over your companion animal
- What to do if your dog is in danger of being declared vicious, or if your dog has bitten someone who is now suing you
- How to handle landlord/tenant disputes over companion animals
- Nuisance Issues and Some Steps Toward Resolving Conflicts
- Including Animals in Your Will
- Keep Animals Safe and Warm This Winter
- When You Witness Animal Cruelty
- What to do when you find animals in substandard conditions at a pet store
- What to do about substandard conditions at your local animal shelter
- How to help a neighbor’s neglected animal
- National Directory of Abuse Investigation Agencies by the National LINK Coalition
- ALDF Suggests: What To Do if You Witness Animal Cruelty Online
- Why Prosecutors Don’t Prosecute
- Animal Hoarding Facts
- Animal Testing and the Law
- Laws & Cases
- Investigating and Prosecuting Animal Abuse
- Honoring Animal Victims: Landmarks in Legislation
- The Case Against Navy Sonar Testing – Joshua Horwitz’ War of the Whales
- The Animal Legal and Historical Center
- NAVS Animal Law Resource Center
- Veterinarian’s Role in Reporting Animal Cruelty
- Solutions to Long-Term Cases in States Without Pre-Conviction Forfeiture Provision
- Animal Fighting Facts
- Animal Fighting Case Study: Michael Vick
- Animal Neglect Facts
- Animal Fighting Case Study: Craig Boyd
- Animal Hoarding Case Study: Vikki Kittles
- Oregon’s Felony Animal Cruelty Law – The “Kittles Bill”
- Confronting Animal Neglect – An ALDF Report on Current Law and Future Possibilities
- The Crime of Bestiality/Zoophilia: Sexual Assault of an Animal
- Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Keating
- Law Professional & Law Student Resources
- Animal Law Boot Camp
- Law Professionals
- Attorney Application for Pro Bono Program Membership
- Your Experience and Knowledge May Qualify You as an Expert Witness
- Animal Law Program Attorney Member Update
- How Legal Professionals Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- The Early History of Animal Law
- Paralegal Application for Pro Bono Program Membership
- Bar Association Animal Law Sections and Committees
- Animal Law Instructor Website
- Law Student & SALDF Chapter Resources
- Back to School with Joyce Tischler
- Get Involved in Speak Out for Farmed Animals Week!
- Animal Legal Defense Fund Fellowships
- SALDF Travel Grants
- Animal Legal Defense Fund Clerkships
- SALDF Tabling Materials
- SALDF Project Grants
- How Law Students Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) Program Guides
- SALDF Project Ideas
- SALDF Film Screening Suggestions
- SALDF Speaker Suggestions
- How Undergraduate Students Can Get Involved in Animal Law
- SALDF Summit
- Opportunities in Animal Law
- Social Media 101
- Press Coverage for SALDF Projects
- SALDF Calendar
- SALDF Chapter Resources & Opportunities Webinar
- Get Involved in National Justice for Animals Week!
- The Animal Legal Defense Fund Presents the 2017 New Voices in Animal Law Writing Contest
- Career Advice for Aspiring Animal Attorneys
- The Animal Legal Defense Fund Presents the 2018 New Voices in Animal Law Writing Contest
- Law Student Application for Animal Law Program Membership
- Animal Law Books & Periodicals
- Where Should You Go To Law School?
- Free Packet for Graduating SALDF Members
- How to Start an Animal Law Class at Your School
- How to Start a SALDF Chapter at Your School
- Animal Law Courses
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapters
- Student Animal Legal Defense Fund Chapter of the Year Award
- Q&A with ALDF Staff Attorney about Pursuing a Career in Animal Law
- Free ALDF Attorney Membership for New Law School Graduates
- ALDF Virtual Town Hall Meetings for SALDF Chapters
- ALDF Attorney and Paralegal Spotlights
- Fran Ortiz
- Legal Professional Spotlight: The Pro Bono Legal Team Working on the Barkworks Lawsuit
- Megan Senatori
- The Pro Bono Legal Team Who Helped Free Ricky the Bear
- Ali Langlais
- Meena Alagappan
- Attorney Spotlight: Monte Cooper, Karen Johnson-McKewan, Derek Knerr, and Scott Lindlaw
- Robert Knaier
- Gabriela Sandoval
- Tony Eliseuson
- Pamela Frasch and Kathy Hessler
- Monica Frois, Erin Pelleteri, and Brandy Sheely
- Rene Kathawala
- Susann MacLachlan
- Attorney Spotlight: Robert Brownstone and Kevin Moore
- Gavin Parsons
- Jerry Simonelli
- Meet the Pro Bono Legal Team Who Helped ALDF Take on the King Kong Zoo
- David Zaft
- Evan Dwin
- Morgan Hector
- Chris Wlach
- Tara Zuardo
- Attorney Spotlight: Joseph S. Goode, Mark Leitner, and Jessica Farley
- Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Michael Von Zamft
- Jonathan Schopf
- Jeffrey Bramson
- Laura Miller
- Requesting an ALDF Amicus Curiae Brief