Our library of research
Evidence from these studies and real-life cases shows that the welfare of animals must be taken seriously and that when it is, people will be safer too.
Centuries of research show that violence against animals and violence against people are often interconnected.
A basic internet search can find over 13000 academic articles listed on this subject. Many of these originate from experts across the United States but other countries have also made a meaningful contribution.
Resources at your fingertips
We have pulled together studies and cases from around the world to show the correlation between animal cruelty and human violence.
Our campaign work on this subject includes the training that we offer police officers and others responsible for public protection. We do not maintain that all those that commit animal cruelty either are, or will become, abusive to people. However, the evidence from these studies and real-life cases shows that the welfare of animals must be taken seriously, and that when it is, people will be safer too.
Explore this section
Campaign updates:
We sought to embed the animal–human abuse link into frontline practices
In 2023, the 44 websites run by police forces across England and Wales didn’t offer any advice to survivors of domestic abuse where pets had been harmed or threatened.
We wanted to make sure we made everyone aware of the harm that can be done to survivors of abuse when their pet is targeted.
We want to ensure that our campaign message is heard globally. In 2022, we presented to a subcommittee of the European Parliament about animals within domestic abuse.
We want to advance animal welfare in as many countries as possible and deliver awareness training as widely as possible on the need to take crimes against animals seriously.
We want to reach MPs to explain why animal welfare matters.
We sent Freedom of Information requests to every police force in England and Wales, and over 650 supporters emailed their MP calling for mandatory training on the role of pets within domestic abuse.
Ensure animals are properly included within all 270 Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences across England and Wales.
Advocate for Holly’s Law, including an animal abusers register, to improve access to information about those who harm animals.
Develop a joined‑up action plan that protects animals and safeguards people, aligned with government strategy.
Disclaimer:
Violence Link Consulting provides violence link training based on education, intervention, and prevention for professionals who work with victims of violent crime.
Country: Canada
Teena Stoddart is an ex-Canadian Police Officer, trained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and FBI. She has instructed police officers across Canada on the violent link between animal cruelty and domestic violence
Teena Stoddart from Violence Link Consulting presenting at the Animals in War Conference in 2022
Country: Canada
Teena Stoddart from Violence Link Consulting is an expert in the violence link between animals and humans. She recently presented at our Animals in War Conference in 2022.
Publications by Andrew Campbell covering pet abuse, child abuse & neglect, intimate partner violence & emotional maltreatment
Country: USA
Andrew Campbell (CEO) of Campbell Research and Consulting is an expert on family violence and the associated risks of harm for adults, children, and animals residing in homes where this violence occurs
Andrew Campbell from Campbell Research Consulting presenting at the Animals in War Conference in 2022
Country: USA
Andrew Campbell spoke at our conference in 2022. His incredible presentation can be watched here
Andrew Campbell’s book ‘Not without my pet’
Country: USA
Andrew’s best-selling book looking at the relationship between victims of domestic violence and their pets
The US based National Organisation for the human/animal violence link
Country: USA
A multidisciplinary resource centre that work to stop violence against animals and people by providing research, public policy, programming and community awareness.
Paper published by Cynthia Hodges at Michigan State University College of Law on ‘The Link: Cruelty to Animals and Violence Towards People’
Country: USA
The article explores the connection between cruelty to animals and human violence. In particular, it examines animal abuse perpetrated by adolescents as a predictor of later human violence.
Animal Abuse as an Indicator of Domestic Violence: One Health, One Welfare Approach
Country: South America
Research and rethinking from the National Library of Medicine on the importance of the veterinarian in detecting animal abuse and cruelty that is needed to help detect and prevent cases of interpersonal violence that may arise over time.
The Joint Counterterrorism Assement Team’s link to terrorism toolkit
Country: USA
Animal Cruelty: A Possible Warning Behaviour for Terrorism and Other Premeditated Violence Against Humans Which Needs Reporting and Further Vetting
Indigenous communities and the link – Native American Humane Society
Country: USA
Research from the Native America Humane Society on the link between human violence & animal abuse within indigenous communities
Paper from the ‘One Health and One Welfare’ seminar at Tallinn University
Country: Estonia
On 14th June 2018, IAHAIO contributed to a seminar on One Health, One Welfare, at Tallinn University. Here, Dr Elizabeth Ormerod, IAHAIO Vice President Membership and retired veterinarian, summarises the key points from each paper presented
Greek research from a police officer and psychologist, Vagelis Drivas
Country: Greece
Vagelis Drivas is a serving Greek police officer, a clinical psychologist and a clinical psychotherapist. He specialises in abuser motivation and spoke to our 2022 conference about the animal/human violence connection. He has written studies on this subject in Greek.
Evangelos Drivas presenting at the War Conference 2022
Country: Greece
Evangelos Vagelis’ presentation on the association between animal abuse/cruelty and interpersonal violence.
Francesca Sorcinelli, President of LINK-ITALIA presenting at the Animals in War Conference 2022
Country: Italy
Francesca Sorcinelli. President of LINK-ITALIA and expert on the close correlation between the abuse and killing of animals, violence, deviant, anti-social and other criminal conduct. Naturewatch Foundation were proud to present in Cento, Italy in 2019 with Francesca and work closely with her on developing our programme to protect animals in the UK.
Facebook page of Link Italia
Country: Italy
LINK ITALIA trains police officers and other professionals on the connection between animal and human violence through their Do.Min.A (Women, Child, Animal) project.
Barbara Blonska’s presentation on ‘Animal abuse as an indicator of domestic violence and other crimes.’
Country: Poland
Barbara Blonska, a criminologist and teacher at the University of Warsaw presentation at the first Legal Animal Protection Conference.
Lucy’s project – for the victims of abuse
Country: Australia
We improve outcomes for people with animals experiencing domestic and family violence and abuse.
Study from the Australian RSPCA on the link between domestic violence and animal abuse
Country: Australia
Research published in 2021 by the RSPCA discusses the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.
Study from the Community Legal Center NSW, Australia
Country: Australia
Animal Defenders Office (NSW) considers options for reform to provide greater protection to those suffering abuse and domestic violence, both human and animal.
Sage Journal article on advocating the need for better communications between animal welfare, child protection and crime prevention services.
Country: Australia
Developmental Links between Cruelty to Animals and Human Violence.mStudy first published in 2016.
An Australian study on the relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse
Country: Australia
Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence in 2008 the article looks at the relationship between domestic violence and animal abuse.
Clifton Flynn from the University of South Carolina examines the links between animal abuse and human violence Romanian study
Country: Romania
Examining the links between animal abuse and human violence
A study on the ‘Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs’, the serial killers of Ukraine
Country: Ukraine
A study into the 21 murders committed by the ‘Dnepropetrovsk Maniacs’ of Ukraine
Naturewatch Foundation present a case study on a child killing in Ukraine
Country: Ukraine
Case study of a child killing
Pakistan’s first animal lawyer pushes for modern protection laws
Country: Pakistan
Media article about Hira Jaleel, a lawyer in Animal Law discusses the relationship between animal cruelty and domestic violence.
The Links Group publish their vision of a world free from abuse of people and animals
Country: Scotland
The Links Group raises awareness of the link between the abuse of people and animals
Guide for veterinarians
Country: Scotland
Comprehensive guide for the veterinary professional in recognising the signs of abuse in animals and humans
Scottish Law – Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
Country: Scotland
Section 10 of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 recognises coercive control within domestic violence when the abuser uses an animal as an emotional lever.
Article published in De Rebus on the link between animal cruelty and human abuse
Country: South Africa
Link between animal cruelty and human abuse: A review of the literature published in 2014.
One Health, One Welfare – a study on the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence
Country: Mexico
Animal Abuse as an Indicator of domestic violence: One Health, One Welfare approach
Taiwanese study of veterinarians and their attitudes towards the link between animal and interpersonal violence
Country: Taiwan
Pilot study of attitudes of Taiwanese veterinarians and undergraduate veterinary students toward animal abuse and Interpersonal Violence
Channel New Asia (CNA) reports on what might trigger young children to commit cruel acts on animals
Country: Singapore
Psychiatrist Lim Boon Leng discusses the underlying triggers behind acts of cruelty committed to animals by children.
Freedom project from The Dogs Trust for people fleeing domestic abuse
Country: England and Wales
Dog fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse
Researchers call for an inclusion of animal abuse in domestic violence laws
Country: England and Wales
Domestic violence laws should include animal abuse, say researchers
A veterinary perspective on the link between animal abuse and domestic violence in Ireland
Country: Ireland
Animal abuse and intimate partner violence: researching the link and its significance in Ireland – a veterinary perspective
State of Guernsey’s procedures on animal abuse, child abuse & domestic violence
Country: Guernsey
Animal abuse, child abuse & domestic violence
A campaign to stop animal abuse in the Netherlands
Country: Netherlands
A petition aimed at creating a National Animal Abuse Expertise Centre, (LED) so that veterinarians can be provided with round-the-clock support in reporting animal abuse and preventing further violence.
