Recent School Shooting Latest Illustration of Link

SCHOOL SHOOTING SHOWS KNOWN LINK BETWEEN     
ANIMAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE
Suspect displayed warning sign of violence against animals

OKLAHOMA CITY— The mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida this week is the most recent tragedy illustrating the link between cruelty to animals and violence against people. Years of anecdotal evidence of this link has been backed up by solid research proving that those who hurt animals often escalate to hurting other vulnerable members of their household or community.

The FBI recognizes this link so strongly that in 2016, they added animal cruelty offenses to their national reporting database, on par with homicide, arson, and assault. Data shows that in 59% of animal cruelty cases, there were other crimes of interpersonal violence involved as well. This speaks to the interrelated nature of these crimes, and why something like animal abuse cannot be ignored or treated as an isolated incident.  

Indeed, a review of school shootings from 1988-2012 revealed that 43% of offenders had committed acts of animal cruelty. Combined with the fact that 54% of mass shootings are related to family violence, a picture emerges that clearly demonstrates that animal abuse is part of a constellation of antisocial behaviors with devastating consequences. This reinforces innumerable studies showing strong ties between animal cruelty and domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.

Those who are aware of a child harming animals can follow these steps provided by the National Link Coalition: Assess the seriousness of the situation: talk to the child and friends, teachers and classmates to try to uncover the child’s motivations. The incident could be exploratory, pathological, delinquent or criminal in nature or in response to mental health issues or reaction to trauma. A trusted family member, friend, teacher, counselor or therapist may be brought in to the discussion. The child should be held accountable for the actions and made to appreciate empathy for the animal’s feelings. In more serious incidents, counseling, other professional intervention, referrals to other social services agencies, or the filing of criminal charges may be warranted. A child’s revelation of other family violence may require reporting to child protection officials, and to animal care and control officials for removal of the animals.

To prevent further violence in our communities, professionals and the public must recognize that violence against animals is not just about an animal victim - it has resonating effects on children, families, and the larger society as a whole.

The Oklahoma Link Coalition is a network of diverse professionals formed around “the Link” between animal abuse and violence against people.  The Coalition is a project of the Kirkpatrick Foundation.

To learn more or to join the Coalition, visit www.OklahomaLinkCoalition.org or engage with the Coalition on Facebook and Twitter.

​Mission: The Oklahoma Link Coalition (OkLC) promotes collaboration, cooperation, public awareness, and education to end violence against people and animals by recognizing the link between human and animal abuse.

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