Humane Society Hears of Animal/Domestic Abuse
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By VALORIE EVERSOLE
Shelbyville Daily Union Staff Writer
Animals and humans can both suffer at the hands of anabuser in domestic
violence cases.
This is the message Susie Kensil, director of ShelbyCounty DOVE, Inc., gave
to the members of the Shelby Humane Society Tuesdayevening. Kensil had recently
attended a regional meeting in Vandalia on thesubject of the animal/domestic
abuse connection.
Citing cases such as David Berkowitz (“Son ofSam”), Ted Bundy,
Jeffrey Dahlmer, and Columbine High Schoolassailants Dylan Klebold and Eric
Harris, Kensil related how each was involvedin animal abuse prior to his
murderous actions against humanity.
Kensil added that people who abuse animals are fivetimes more likely to
abuse their spouse or children, four times more likely todamage personal
property, and three times more likely to abuse drugs andalcohol. A high
percentage of children who witness animal abuse become animalabusers themselves.
“Society reinforces the problem by not taking astand,” Kensil
said.
“Domestic abuse, whether verbal or physical, isalways about power
and control,” Kensil said. “A person can be wellrespected in
the community, but abusive to spouse or significant other in theprivacy
of their home. And women can be as much or more abusive thanmen.”
In homes with pets, the abuser will threaten to harmthe animal to coerce
the human victim into silence, thus gaining more power andcontrol.
“People are becoming more aware of theconnection,” Kensil said.
She added that shelters are asking victimsabout animal abuse in the home.
“Of the physical abuse cases reported, 95% ofthe victims are women.
And of them 76% have animals subject to abuse,”Kensil said. Many of
these women stay in the abusive situation because theyhave nowhere to take
their pets.
Shelters for battered women are looking into ways toprotect pets as well
as the women they serve. But there are obstacles to takingthe pets into
the shelters themselves. Animals may already be scarred emotionally,and
putting them into a shelter with other people may cause them to reactnegatively.
Others in the shelters may be allergic to the animals.
The trend of asking victims about pet abuse has becomeimportant in recent
years because of the link.
“By not questioning about animal abuse, we havebeen negligent in helping
women,” Kensil said.
Kensil noted that about one-third of the cases ofabuse in Shelby County
have reported animal abuse in thehome.
“One victim was worried about the farm animals– afraid that
the abuser would let the animals starve and blame her forit,” Kensil
said.
George Donley, Shelby County Animal Control Officer,added that the state
has recently passes the Illinois Animal Welfare Act whichis designed to
protect animals from abusers.
“This makes it easier for animal control andpolice officers to do
their job,” Donley said. “But the publicstill needs to report
cases of abuse or neglect for us to check on an animal.Then we can follow
up and can take the animal if warranted.”
Kensil noted that teaching kids at a young age torespect animals can help
reduce abuse problems later.
“Education is the key… get to the kidsearly,” she said.
“Also being aware of the problem... if you seeit, report it.”
Used by Permission: Shelbyville Daily Union, Shelbyville, IL62565