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Sir: Coombes rightly considers the duties of doctors and vets in
situations where their patients are in danger of mistreatment. There is
increasing evidence to link animal and child abuse, and vice versa (1).
It has been shown that where child abuse and neglect are present 88% of
pets were abused (2). Where women seek refuge from domestic voilence in a
safe house, of those having pets, 71% report that their partners had been
violent to their pet.
Increasing collaberation between the NSPCA and the RSPCA is helping
government policy to formulate improved links between the two reporting
schemes. In several local authorities vets will contact the appropriate
Childrens and Families Social Services Department to notify them of animal
abuse, due to the strength of the link. Wider uptake would do much to
protect both sets of innocents.
(2)DeViney, E., Dickert, J., & Lockwood, R. (1998). The care of
pets within child abusing families. International Journal for the Study
of Animal Problems, 4, (1983) 321-329.
(3)Ascione, F. R. (1997). The nature and status of research on the
link between animal cruelty and child abuse. Protecting Children, 13(2),
12-14.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
28 November 2005
M E Jan Wise
Consultant Psychiatrist
Brent East CMHT, 13-15 Brondesbury Rd, London NW6 6HX
We took in a rescue dog that was about to be put down.
He had had all the tests to prove he was healthy so there was no
illness to explain his "vicious" behaviour. He was therefore sentenced to
death by his physically abusive owners.
How any vet was prepared to co-operate with such a situation is
beyond me.
In fact, the vet did miss a medical problem which was causing the dog
pain, and was picked up & treated by our vet.
We had stepped in at the 11th hour, and have been rewarded by blind
loyalty from a dog who simply needed to be understood - and related to -
in terms of his breed. (Perhaps it is no concidence that I am in
Psychiatry?!)
I have had many fruitful & interesting discussions with my
animals' vets and it is fascinating to see how Human and Pet medicine
intersect.
Links between Child & Animal Abuse
Sir: Coombes rightly considers the duties of doctors and vets in
situations where their patients are in danger of mistreatment. There is
increasing evidence to link animal and child abuse, and vice versa (1).
It has been shown that where child abuse and neglect are present 88% of
pets were abused (2). Where women seek refuge from domestic voilence in a
safe house, of those having pets, 71% report that their partners had been
violent to their pet.
Increasing collaberation between the NSPCA and the RSPCA is helping
government policy to formulate improved links between the two reporting
schemes. In several local authorities vets will contact the appropriate
Childrens and Families Social Services Department to notify them of animal
abuse, due to the strength of the link. Wider uptake would do much to
protect both sets of innocents.
(1) www.americanhumane.org
(2)DeViney, E., Dickert, J., & Lockwood, R. (1998). The care of
pets within child abusing families. International Journal for the Study
of Animal Problems, 4, (1983) 321-329.
(3)Ascione, F. R. (1997). The nature and status of research on the
link between animal cruelty and child abuse. Protecting Children, 13(2),
12-14.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests