![Thanks to all who attended the 5/14/10 Task Force meeting at the Historic Courthouse in Canton. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Solicitor’s Office, DA’s Office, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Legal Services, Choice Counseling, Woodstock Police Department, the Marshall’s Office, and Animal Enforcement.
Chair, Josh Nation, welcomed attendees to the meeting and Rebekah Shelnutt, informed the group that Pizza and drinks were being served in honor of National Police Appreciation Week.
Dr. Maya Gupta of Ahimsa House presented information to the Task Force regarding the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.
Gupta indicated that all agencies present at the meeting could or do touch on the link between animal cruelty and DV. She states that we can work together to draw a wider circle of protection around victims, whether they have two legs or four.
Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word meaning non-violence. Ahimsa House was founded in 2004, based on the needs of victims who often feel that they are forced to make a choice between their safety and the safety of their pets. Ahimsa House now operates a decentralized, statewide network of foster homes, boarding facilities to care for animals under the care of victims of DV, seeking safety from abuse.
Studies show that 71% of victims interviewed entering a shelter, indicated that their abuser had threatened or harmed a pet. Most homes in the US contain a pet, and the rate increases to 60-70% pet ownership in homes where children reside. Gupta indicates that Hurricane Katrina shines a spotlight on the fact that people who are dealing with emergencies do not want to leave their pets, as many survivors of the hurricane made choices not to flee without their animals.
The abuse of pets is linked to issues of power and control. Many abusers make threats such as “I’ll hurt your pets to punish you” or “I will take [your pet] to the woods and no one will see it again and I can do the same for you,” make threats to make their victims watch him injure their pet or make children participate in killing a pet, use the pet as a tool to coerce any children in the home into not revealing details of the abuse to other people, or, in more extreme situations, use a mutilated pet as a way of sending a message to a victim who has fled an abusive situation that they have carried out their threats by doing things such as sending a severed body part to the victim’s safe house. Abusers who do things like this show a wider range of abusive behaviors than other batterers.
Animals present a safety planning issue for victims, so best practices need to be followed. Pets can be incorporated into Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs), by listing them as property of the victim or under the “Other Relief” section of the order. A TPO can allow law enforcement to return to the home to pick up an animal.
Some states have legislation to allow a judge to direct the custody/care/control of any household animals. Georgia has attempted to do this over the last few years; however the legislation has been stuck in the Rules Committee.
Prosecutors and Law Enforcement should consider Cruelty to Animals charges in DV cases, as it may help eliminate any burdens with regard to witnesses who may recant their statements. Veterinary Forensics units (a.k.a. Animal CSI), such as those run by Dr. Melinda Merck, specialize in non-accidental injuries to animals and should be called in to consult on animal cruelty cases as expert witnesses.
Education on how to best document animal abuse is needed for the community. Programs such as the Linkage Project in Maine raise awareness of the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. It was noted that school shooter and serial killers in the media have been found to have backgrounds in cruelty to animals. Cruelty to animals should be seen as a warning sign in children and a risk factor for social problems.
Because children tend to take ownership of pets, many are injured trying to protect household animals during abusive incidents in the home. Many children have tried to put their animal down as a more humane way of protecting it, knowing the abuser will harm the animal.
There is not as much information known about the connection between animal abuse and elder abuse. Often animals are an elder adult’s closest companion, so threats to pets are likely to be very impactful and effective.
Rebekah Shelnutt asked if there is research on if animal abuse often triggers victims to leave an abusive situation. Gupta indicated that there has been no formal research done. Her experience, though, is that many victims have indicated that is the reason they left. Ahimsa House often gets the first call from victims seeking protection for their animals and refers victims to Human Service agencies for additional assistance regarding their abuse.
Victim advocates need to focus on asking victims if threats or acts of animal abuse have occurred. Animal cruelty is an illegal act, but it is also a warning sign. If no one asks about the animal abuse, victims will often not bring it up. Discussion of animals often makes a great icebreaker with clients.
We can help assess the presence of DV, by looking for animals’ reactions to the household members, while on home visits with clients. If a pet makes extra efforts to avoid one person in the home, it may be a sign of the presence of DV/abuse. Looking for signals from the animals can be a good indicator as to the family dynamic. Look for inappropriate expectations of children who may take care of the pet. Ask what would be done to the child if the pet made a mess or used the bathroom in the home. Many victims are not allowed to take care of their pets properly. If you see signs of lack of care for the animals, this offers a good point to start a conversation on the household dynamics.
Ahimsa House is flexible on the length of time that they can offer are for animals. They attempt to match a caretaker with the length of time a victim is allowed to stay in a particular shelter program. There is not a requirement for victims to be in a shelter program to receive assistance from Ahimsa House. Ahimsa House also works with victims to establish documentation of ownership of their pets as well as safety planning with victims on animal specific issues.
Derrick Lawrence of Cherokee County Animal Enforcement asked if veterinarians are often contacting someone about injuries to an animal as a result of abuse. Gupta indicated that Georgia has not mandated reporting requirement for animal cruelty, and addressed the lack of formalization in requirements for veterinarians to report suspected abuse. Lawrence indicated that there is good reporting from vets in Cherokee County, as to suspected abuse. Gupta indicates that there is currently work being done with the University of Georgia school of Veterinary Medicine to expand the knowledge of veterinarians when it comes to DV issues.
Rebekah Shelnutt presented Gupta with a gift from the Task Force in appreciation for her speaking with the group. Calendars and fliers for upcoming meetings were distributed to the group.
The next meeting will take place on Friday, June 11, 2010. Georgia Meth Project will be presenting.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l2xvslheCG1qzm6ato1_500.jpg)
Thanks to all who attended the 5/14/10 Task Force meeting at the Historic Courthouse in Canton. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Solicitor’s Office, DA’s Office, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Legal Services, Choice Counseling, Woodstock Police Department, the Marshall’s Office, and Animal Enforcement.
Chair, Josh Nation, welcomed attendees to the meeting and Rebekah Shelnutt, informed the group that Pizza and drinks were being served in honor of National Police Appreciation Week.
Dr. Maya Gupta of Ahimsa House presented information to the Task Force regarding the connection between animal abuse and domestic violence.
Gupta indicated that all agencies present at the meeting could or do touch on the link between animal cruelty and DV. She states that we can work together to draw a wider circle of protection around victims, whether they have two legs or four.
Ahimsa is the Sanskrit word meaning non-violence. Ahimsa House was founded in 2004, based on the needs of victims who often feel that they are forced to make a choice between their safety and the safety of their pets. Ahimsa House now operates a decentralized, statewide network of foster homes, boarding facilities to care for animals under the care of victims of DV, seeking safety from abuse.
Studies show that 71% of victims interviewed entering a shelter, indicated that their abuser had threatened or harmed a pet. Most homes in the US contain a pet, and the rate increases to 60-70% pet ownership in homes where children reside. Gupta indicates that Hurricane Katrina shines a spotlight on the fact that people who are dealing with emergencies do not want to leave their pets, as many survivors of the hurricane made choices not to flee without their animals.
The abuse of pets is linked to issues of power and control. Many abusers make threats such as “I’ll hurt your pets to punish you” or “I will take [your pet] to the woods and no one will see it again and I can do the same for you,” make threats to make their victims watch him injure their pet or make children participate in killing a pet, use the pet as a tool to coerce any children in the home into not revealing details of the abuse to other people, or, in more extreme situations, use a mutilated pet as a way of sending a message to a victim who has fled an abusive situation that they have carried out their threats by doing things such as sending a severed body part to the victim’s safe house. Abusers who do things like this show a wider range of abusive behaviors than other batterers.
Animals present a safety planning issue for victims, so best practices need to be followed. Pets can be incorporated into Temporary Protective Orders (TPOs), by listing them as property of the victim or under the “Other Relief” section of the order. A TPO can allow law enforcement to return to the home to pick up an animal.
Some states have legislation to allow a judge to direct the custody/care/control of any household animals. Georgia has attempted to do this over the last few years; however the legislation has been stuck in the Rules Committee.
Prosecutors and Law Enforcement should consider Cruelty to Animals charges in DV cases, as it may help eliminate any burdens with regard to witnesses who may recant their statements. Veterinary Forensics units (a.k.a. Animal CSI), such as those run by Dr. Melinda Merck, specialize in non-accidental injuries to animals and should be called in to consult on animal cruelty cases as expert witnesses.
Education on how to best document animal abuse is needed for the community. Programs such as the Linkage Project in Maine raise awareness of the connection between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. It was noted that school shooter and serial killers in the media have been found to have backgrounds in cruelty to animals. Cruelty to animals should be seen as a warning sign in children and a risk factor for social problems.
Because children tend to take ownership of pets, many are injured trying to protect household animals during abusive incidents in the home. Many children have tried to put their animal down as a more humane way of protecting it, knowing the abuser will harm the animal.
There is not as much information known about the connection between animal abuse and elder abuse. Often animals are an elder adult’s closest companion, so threats to pets are likely to be very impactful and effective.
Rebekah Shelnutt asked if there is research on if animal abuse often triggers victims to leave an abusive situation. Gupta indicated that there has been no formal research done. Her experience, though, is that many victims have indicated that is the reason they left. Ahimsa House often gets the first call from victims seeking protection for their animals and refers victims to Human Service agencies for additional assistance regarding their abuse.
Victim advocates need to focus on asking victims if threats or acts of animal abuse have occurred. Animal cruelty is an illegal act, but it is also a warning sign. If no one asks about the animal abuse, victims will often not bring it up. Discussion of animals often makes a great icebreaker with clients.
We can help assess the presence of DV, by looking for animals’ reactions to the household members, while on home visits with clients. If a pet makes extra efforts to avoid one person in the home, it may be a sign of the presence of DV/abuse. Looking for signals from the animals can be a good indicator as to the family dynamic. Look for inappropriate expectations of children who may take care of the pet. Ask what would be done to the child if the pet made a mess or used the bathroom in the home. Many victims are not allowed to take care of their pets properly. If you see signs of lack of care for the animals, this offers a good point to start a conversation on the household dynamics.
Ahimsa House is flexible on the length of time that they can offer are for animals. They attempt to match a caretaker with the length of time a victim is allowed to stay in a particular shelter program. There is not a requirement for victims to be in a shelter program to receive assistance from Ahimsa House. Ahimsa House also works with victims to establish documentation of ownership of their pets as well as safety planning with victims on animal specific issues.
Derrick Lawrence of Cherokee County Animal Enforcement asked if veterinarians are often contacting someone about injuries to an animal as a result of abuse. Gupta indicated that Georgia has not mandated reporting requirement for animal cruelty, and addressed the lack of formalization in requirements for veterinarians to report suspected abuse. Lawrence indicated that there is good reporting from vets in Cherokee County, as to suspected abuse. Gupta indicates that there is currently work being done with the University of Georgia school of Veterinary Medicine to expand the knowledge of veterinarians when it comes to DV issues.
Rebekah Shelnutt presented Gupta with a gift from the Task Force in appreciation for her speaking with the group. Calendars and fliers for upcoming meetings were distributed to the group.
The next meeting will take place on Friday, June 11, 2010. Georgia Meth Project will be presenting.
