Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Introduction
The link between domestic violence and animal abuse is well documented. According to Kachynska [ 1 ], domestic violence can be considered to be the violation of fundamental human rights within the context of a relationship that might amount to criminal conduct, to include coercive control and physical, sexual, mental and emotional abuse. Animal abuse is recognised as the maltreatment of animals through forms of physical harm( non-accidental injury), neglect and abandonment [ 1 ].
Literature review
Studies by Fitzgerald et al. [ 2 ], Sanders et al. [ 3 ] and Alleyne et al. [ 4 ] have found animal abuse to be a significant indicator of domestic violence and vice versa. Ascione et al. [ 5 ] found that physical violence within an abusive relationship was a compelling indicator of animal abuse, in a study that made use of the Conflict Tactics Scale. The same study also found that, in comparison to women who had not experienced domestic violence, women who had experienced an abusive relationship were 11 times more likely to witness the abuse of a pet [ 5 ]. In two other studies, up to 89 % of women who had experienced domestic violence disclosed that their intimate partner had harmed or threatened to harm their companion animals [ 6, 7 ].
Concern about a pet in the context of an abusive relationship affects women in many ways. Many women decide against, or delay, leaving an abusive partner or seeking refuge with a women ' s shelter due to worries about the wellbeing of their companion animal, with 18 – 75 % of women across a variety of studies reporting these delays [ 5 – 11 ].
Further supporting evidence of the connection between the two forms of abuse is provided when considering motivations. Motivations for domestic violence and animal abuse were found to include: power and control; frustration; to cause emotional distress; and as an act of vengeance [ 11 – 15 ]. Parfitt and Alleyne [ 16 ] found that 68 % of perpetrators reported that they would experience a level of power, excitement or enjoyment from harming or threatening to harm animals. Furthermore, according to Pence and Paymar [ 17 ], animal abuse is considered a form of intimidation under the Power and Control Wheel. Research by Fitzgerald et al. [ 2 ] supports this through finding that 52.38 % of women noted that, in order to exert control over them, an abusive partner threatened to harm their pets.
Factors causing suspicion of non-accidental injury in animals are similar to indicators of the same type of abuse in children [ 18 ]. These include an inconsistent history of the presenting injuries, the patient ' s and client ' s behaviour, and the nature of the injuries [ 18 ].
This review and analysis of the literature found evidence of a significant link between domestic violence and animal abuse. Many women who have experienced an abusive relationship have also experienced the abuse of their companion animals. In addition, there is evidence of similar motivations for perpetrating acts of domestic violence and animal abuse. It is therefore essential to consider the role of the veterinary professional, who has a duty of care to both the client and the patient, in the context of this link.
Aims, objectives and hypothesis
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of veterinary professionals encountering cases of domestic violence and animal abuse through the distribution of an online survey collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
The objectives of this study were to establish general awareness of the links between domestic violence and animal abuse within the veterinary profession, provide a rationale for reluctance to report cases, and examine veterinary professionals ' perceptions of whether the implementation of additional guidelines and screening services would be beneficial to handling these cases.
It was hypothesised that although veterinary professionals are aware of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, they have low efficacy in handling these cases. It was further hypothesised that a lack of adequate training and guidelines available to veterinary professionals contributes to this low efficacy, and the implementation of additional guidelines and / or screening procedures would be beneficial.
Methods
A sample of 100 – 200 veterinary professionals was targeted to facilitate statistical analysis. Participants were required to be aged over 18 and actively working within the UK at the time of survey completion. Veterinary students and student veterinary nurses were excluded. The anonymous online survey was distributed via social media platforms during late 2020 to early 2021. Participants could withdraw at any point before submission, in line with ethical requirements. Ethical approval was granted by the Edinburgh Napier University Ethics Committee.
The questionnaire was developed using NoviSurvey software; it consisted of 18 closed and multiple-choice questions, with opportunities for free-text responses. Topics explored in the survey included awareness of the link between domestic violence and animal abuse, knowledge of support organisations, attitudes towards reporting and perceived barriers to reporting, and views on additional guidance and support mechanisms for veterinary professionals. Data were exported to Google Sheets for analysis.
Volume 41( 5) • October 2026
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