Breaking the Cycle of Violence - July/August 11

by Heddie Leger

Unfortunately recent news has displayed a rash of cruel and violent acts towards animals. This is very unpleasant to hear and see, and it is not something that can be swept under the rug. Cruelty to an animal has proven to be the first step towards cruelty towards another human being. In this modern day and age, there is still much room for us to learn about the human/animal bond and how it relates to how we treat each other. 

There is increasing attention being given to the relationship between animal cruelty and other forms of violence, most notably domestic violence. This issue has been studied long enough by psychologists and law enforcement agencies to provide ample documentation that people who harm animals are capable of harming other people as well. Incidents of animal abuse, spousal abuse and child abuse regularly occur in the same household, or one may lead to the other over time. Either way, society has a vested interest in not just punishing such behavior but reversing it as well.

The Cycle of Violence
Because of this “cycle of violence,” more than half of our nation’s state animal cruelty laws allow judges to include psychological assessment and treatment as part of sentencing. In Kansas, counseling is mandatory for felony cruelty offenders; in Missouri, counseling is discretionary for those convicted of certain types of abuse, but not all forms of abuse.
Educated judges are utilizing this provision as part of a more comprehensive approach to not only punish abusers, but to stop violence before it repeats or escalates. Just last month a judge in California ordered AniCare treatment for a man convicted of tying up a small dog, taping her mouth shut, pouring bleach in her eyes and hitting her in the face with a golf club.  It would be wonderful for judges across the country to take similar actions in requiring such treatment for abusers that are convicted.

AniCare Treatment
The nonprofit Animals and Society Institute, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the leading advocate for a special counseling program called AniCare. Developed in 1999, it is a unique model that aims to get to the root of violent behavior. It uses a cognitive behavioral approach to address personal issues of accountability, respect/freedom, reciprocity, accommodation, empathy, attachment and nurturance. There are separate AniCare programs for adults and for children under 17 carried out by specially trained counselors across the country.

Community Awareness
Because our society values the role companion animals play in our daily lives, public awareness of the seriousness of animal cruelty is more apparent. Instead of making excuses for cruel behavior (“boys will be boys”) or marginalizing the victims as “just animals,” more people are demanding that animal abusers be brought to justice.
When news headlines describe cats being set on fire or dogs being beaten, there is a greater expectation that the law will deal with such perpetrators seriously. Reporting incidents of animal fighting, hoarding or severe neglect is one way anyone can speak up for animal victims. Acts that were once misdemeanors are often now classified as felonies prompting stricter law enforcement and more stringent penalties for violations.

Adding psychological counseling to the mix acknowledges that there is indeed something lacking in individuals who care so little about the welfare of others. Juveniles, especially, can be taught to break the cycle even if they’ve witnessed or experienced abuse and considered it “normal.” Adults who threaten or harm animals, their partners and/or their partner’s animals need to understand the impact and consequences of their actions.

Professional Outreach
As more offenders are required to participate in counseling, the need for trained counselors becomes greater. The ASI regularly holds training workshops in AniCare and AniCare Child programs to give therapists the tools necessary to address animal abusers. Conferences and seminars related to social work, psychology and law enforcement are all appropriate places for lessons about the violence link. Humane societies, police departments and prosecutors’ offices are more closely coordinating the handling and prosecution of cases.

A Safer Community
Kansas City is among three metropolitan areas to which the ASI is devoting special resources this year. Thanks to a grant from the Kansas-based Shumaker Family Foundation, the ASI is conducting training workshops and other education and outreach efforts to build awareness and promote a more unified approach to addressing animal abuse crimes. By working with social service agencies, humane societies, law enforcement offices and the judicial system, the goal is to make the Kansas City community safer for its four-legged and two-legged citizens.
For more information about AniCare and upcoming workshops go to www.animalsandsociety.org.

AniCare Training Session in Kansas City
AniCare — Interrupting the Cycle Between Animal Abuse and Violence Towards Humans.
AniCare is coming to the Kansas City area with training workshops on Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19, 2011.
These sessions will be held at the Sunflower House, 15440 West 65th STreet, Shawnee, KS  66217 You must reserve a space and space is limited.
For more information visit www.animalsandsociety.org/kcanicare or contact ASI’s Kansas City representative, Heddie Leger at 816-820-5829.

Heddie is a Certified Humane Educator. She  is recipient of the 2011 Excellence Award from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is a Community Training Partner for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and the local Kansas City Area Representative for the Animals and Society Institute.  Her compassion for animals extends to all species. You can reach her at the PawZone In-Home PetSitting (www.thepawzone.com) and The DogSpot Training Center.