the link

• MN Day One Crisis Hotline:

Call: 1-866-223-1111

Text: 612-399-9995

Day One provides assistance to victims of domestic violence. They also operate a pet protection program for victims and can assist with finding a shelter that takes pets or other means to protect pets.

• Police or Sheriff

If you or your pet (or other animals) are being harmed or suspect or witness an act of animal cruelty (includes neglect), contact your local police department or sheriff's office immediately. If an emergency, call 911.

Contacts for MN Sheriffs, Police, and Fire & Rescue: USA COPS

• Humane agents

In Minnesota, humane agents are also authorized to assist in investigations of animal cruelty. Agents will work directly with law enforcement.

Animal Humane Society: www.animalhumanesociety.org

MN Federated Humane Societies: www.mnfedhs.org

• Animal control officers

Animal Care and Control Services in Minnesota vary based on community. Some are skilled in cruelty investigations; others are not. Check with your local facility. For city of Minneapolis: Mpls Animal Care & Control

If you need assistance with the above or if authorities are not responsive, contact Animal Folks at ann@animalfolks.org or 651-222-2821.

For other resources, scroll to bottom of page.

FLYER: THE LINK

To download flyer displayed below: Animal-Human Violence

Flyer is designed to be two-sided.

THE LINK: Animal-Human Violence

What is The Link?

Violence against animals is known as a predictor and indicator of other crimes. The Link refers to the connection between animal abuse, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, domestic violence, and other forms of community violence.

Children who grow up witnessing animal abuse are at greater risk of becoming abusers as an adult, resulting in a cycle of violence that carries through to future generations.

Why are animals used as a target for violence?
Animals, like children and the elderly, are more vulnerable and therefore seen as easy targets for abuse. Many animal abusers also believe they won’t get caught, or that crimes committed against animals are not punishable by law.

In many abusive situations (familial), an abuser harms animals in the home to intimidate or threaten their human victims and to show power and control. Animals are also used as an outlet for anger and frustration by someone who is living in an abusive situation; this could include children or adults.

Phil Arkow, National Link Coalition Coordinator, describes the animal and domestic violence abuse connection in Form of Emotional Blackmail: Animal Abuse as a Risk Factor for Domestic Violence:

“The depth of attachments to these pets, particularly among women and children in homes marked by domestic violence and child abuse, frequently enables batterers to target animals with threatened or actual cruelty as a form of emotional blackmail to gain additional power and control.”

“In homes marked by multiple concurrent forms of abuse behaviors, assaults on those perceived to be less worthy become a household norm and part of the culture of power and control…some abusers have reported that they attacked pets, specifically, because they believed such incidents would be less likely to draw the interest of law enforcement agencies.”

• Between 49% and 86% of domestic violence survivors report that their partners killed, harmed or threatened animals as a means of demonstrating authority.

• More than a dozen studies have reported that from 18% to 56% of women entering shelters delayed their escape due to concerns for the welfare of pets or even livestock left behind.

What other facts exist linking animal abuse and violent crimes?
• Seven of the school shootings that occurred between 1997 and 2001 involved shooters who had previously tortured or killed animals.

• 43% of school shooters have animal abuse in their background. (Arluke & Madfis, 2013)

• In a 1996 study of 36 convicted murderers, 46% admitted to having tortured animals as an adolescent. (Cohen)

• 35% of search warrants executed for animal abuse or dog fighting investigations resulted in seizures of narcotics or guns. 82% of offenders arrested for animal abuse violations had prior arrests for battery, weapons or drug charges. (Chicago Crime Commission, 2004)

• A 1997 study in Massachusetts found that 70% of animal abusers had also committed crimes related to violence, drugs, property damage and disorderly conduct. (Arluke & Luke)

• A 1983 study found that in 83% of the homes where children were being abused, animals were also being abused or neglected. (DeViney, Dicket & Lockwood)
The connection between animal cruelty and human violence is clear, and according to a study by Lockwood and Church, “The FBI identifies animal cruelty as one of the several juvenile behaviors with increasingly violent behavior.” In 2015 the FBI decided to categorize animal cruelty as a “Group A” felony, making it easier for them – as well as local law enforcement – to track cases. Collection and analysis of nationwide data started in 2016.

For an in-depth look at research surrounding the connection between violence against humans and animals, read this comprehensive guidebook created by Allie Phillips, National District Attorneys Association.

Does animal cruelty and human violence happen in Minnesota?
Yes. There are numerous cases in Minnesota that have involved “the link,” where an offender harmed an animal to intimidate or threaten a human or directly abused another person. Below are just three case examples:

• Gabrielle Tywon Allen: In 2012, Allen allegedly threw three, one-week-old puppies at her boyfriend during a fight outside an apartment complex. Records from the Minnesota Judicial Branch show Allen has a total of 6 incidents on record for alcohol violations, traffic violations, disorderly conduct, domestic assault, and animal cruelty.

• Thomas James Hart: In 2011, Hart drowned his girlfriend’s ferret in a bowl of water, and then threatened her and a friend with a knife. Hart and his girlfriend were in the process of breaking up and he had previously threatened to kill her ferret. Records from the Minnesota Judicial Branch show Hart has a total of 3 incidents on record for drugs, obstructing the legal process, and animal cruelty.

• Anthony Albert Gomez: In 2007, Gomez pleaded guilty to killing and beheading the dog of a 17-year-old girl. According to reports, the girl had rejected the advances of Gomez. Gomez tool the girl's four-year-old dog, named Diesel, and violently killed the animal. (Gomez reported that he watched someone else shoot the dog and then asked the person to behead Diesel.) Gomez then placed the dog’s head in a gift-wrapped box with Valentine’s Day candy and left the box at the girl's front door. Records from the Minnesota Judicial Branch show Gomez has a total of 8 incidents on record for assault, disorderly conduct, or terroristic threats.

How are children impacted by this abuse? And can or do children also abuse animals?

The harm to children caused by witnessing abuse to animals, such as a beloved pet, or being abused directly themselves cannot be minimized. The harm creates both short- and long-term effects.

Dr. Barbara Boat (licensed child psychologist) has studied the "toxic triad" of animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. Her findings found that abusive events (toxic stress) in early childhood can:

• harm developing brain architecture

• create long-term hyper-responsiveness to perceived threats; and

• lead to lifelong negative physical and mental health issues

Studies also show that children who abuse animals are 2-3 times more likely to have been abused themselves. (Lee Kelland & Finland, 2018). Ascione, Thompson, and Black studied motivations about why a child would harm an animal. Some examples in their study (Childhood Cruelty to Animals: Assessing Cruelty Dimensions and MOtivations, 10(4) Anthrozoos, 170, 2015) include:

• curiosity or exploration

• peer pressure

• mood enhancement (e.g., relieve boredom)

• sexual gratification (.e., bestiality)

• forced abuse (e.g., coerced by a more powerful person)

• attachment to an animal (e.g., kills the animal to prevent torture by another)

• identification with the child's abuser (i.e., "practicing" violence on stray animals or pets)

• vehicle for emotional abuse (e.g., injuring sibling's pets)

Does Minnesota have laws that protect animals and people in abusive situations?
Yes. Minnesota statutes can help protect people and animals from abuse. Examples:

Minn. Stat. Chapter 343 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
This statute helps protect animals. An animal is defined by Minn. Stat. sec. 343.20 Subd. 2 as “…every living creature except members of the human race.” Penalties within this law are higher if an act of cruelty is committed to threaten, terrorize, or intimidate a person, as defined below:

Sec. 343.21 Subd. 9 Penalty:
• “A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in substantial bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act is done to threaten, intimidate, or terrorize another person, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.”
• “A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act is done to threaten, intimidate, or terrorize another person, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than four years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.”

Minn. Stat. Chapter 518B Domestic Abuse:
Section 518B.01 of this Statute is known as the Domestic Abuse Act. Per Subdivision 7, an ex parte order for protection can include, “directing the respondent to refrain from physically abusing or injuring any pet or companion animal, without legal justification, known to be owned, possessed, kept, or held by either party or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either party as an indirect means of intentionally threatening the safety of such person.”

Minn. Stat. sec. 609.294 Bestiality:
Animal sexual abuse is a crime in Minnesota. The law states "Whoever carnally knows a dead body or an animal or bird is guilty of bestiality, which is a misdemeanor. If knowingly done in the presence of another the person may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000 or both." As this act is a misdemeanor, often it gets charged under Chapter 343 which allows for a higher penalty for companion animals. Animal sexual abuse is linked to other crimes, including sexual abuse of children and adults.

If I am in a position (my profession) to assist with child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic violence and animal abuse, are there tools for me to use?
There are multiple studies about "The Link" with tools that can be used for various disciplines.

One recommendation is to include questions about pets or other animals in interviews when talking with children, spouses, or other victims. Studies have shown that kids and adults will "open up" more about what may be happening in their household if they are first asked about their pets. Three basic questions:

• Do you have pets at home?

• Are they cared for?

• Are you worried about their welfare?

Some other examples of tools to help in interviews, assessments, and measurements of harm are below:

• Boat Inventory on Animal-Related Experiences: The Childhood Trust Survey on Animal-Related Experiences

• AniCare and AniCare Child

• Children and Animals Assessment Instrument

• Children's Atitudes and Behaviors Toward Animals

• Children's Treatment of Animals Questionnaire

• Clinical Assessment of Juvenile Animal Cruelty

• Cruelty to Animal Inventory

• P.E.T. Scale of the Measurement of Physical and Emotional Tormenting of Animal

The above titles are listed at: Animal Cruelty Psychological Assessment Instruments

A case study and appendix including three tools for use by mental health professionals, social workers, and prosecutors: Collaborating to Assess, Intervene, and Prosecute Animal Abuse: A Continuum of Protection for Children and Animals (Barbara Boat, Lynn Loar, Allie Phillips).

Is there cross-reporting in Minnesota and cross-training on this issue ?
At this time, Minnesota does not have laws mandating cross-reporting of these types of abuse; i.e., mandating social workers to report animal abuse or mandating veterinarians to report child abuse. Cross-reporting varies by state. Cross-reporting also requires training so each discipline knows who to report to based on the suspected crime.

A list of laws for cross-reporting can be found at: Cross Reporting by Type

Until a Minnesota state law is passed and training is established, it is recommended that agencies develop Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with other agencies or organizations, allowing for reporting and collaborative assistance.

What can I do if I suspect someone is abusing a person or an animal? Or if I am the one being abused?
The statistics are eye-opening: an estimated 76 percent of animal abusers also abuse a member of their family.

If you suspect an animal or person is living in an abusive situation, contact your local police department or sheriff’s office. If you are being abused or feel your life is in danger, seek help immediately by calling 911.

The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Woman has compiled a list of resources for women who are victims of domestic violence, including emergency hotline numbers and information on what to expect when you contact a domestic abuse shelter. You can also find an extensive list of services and programs by county on their website.

The Spot Abuse Project has developed a campaign (link below) to encourage people to dial 9-1-1 when they suspect animal abuse.

Spot Abuse video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyuXkdqvJpw&feature=youtu.be
Video Courtesy of The Spot Abuse Project

Do any domestic abuse shelters in Minnesota allow pets?
Yes. Some domestic abuse shelters will either allow a woman to bring her pets along, or will help find temporary placement for her pets while she is at the shelter.

For privacy reasons, shelter names are not listed below. For assistance in finding a pet-friendly shelter, call MN Day One at phone/text numbers on top of this page. You can also visit Animal Welfare Institute’s Safe Havens Mapping Project to search by city or state.

Additional resources
There is numerous data on The Link. Go to:

• National Link Coalition: nationallinkcoalition.org/resources/articles-research

• SAF-T: https://saftprogram.org/

There are also organizations who can provide funding or other assistance. Learn more:

• Red Rover: https://redrover.org/resources/domestic-violence-and-pets/

• Cornerstone - FAQ: one question for keeping pets safe

If you have questions or need further assistance or help, you can also contact Animal Folks at info@animalfolks.org.

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