A history of pet abuse is one of the four most significant risk factors for becoming a domestic violence batterer.

*A dozen studies have found that 15% to 48% of battered women delay leaving abusive situations – or return to them – out of fear for the safety of their animals.

*71% of battered women report that abusers hurt, killed or threatened their pets to control them and their children.

*Batterers who also abuse pets are more dangerous and use more forms of violence than those who do not.

*Adding a screening question about animal cruelty on a crisis line decreased domestic violence homicides by 80%.