Hawaiian Humane Society
Newsletter People for animals. Animals for people.
December 2015 – February 2016
Humane Society brings expert on animal cruelty and family violence to Hawaii In October, Hawaiian Humane Society presented a community event featuring Phil Arkow, an internationally acclaimed expert on the link between animal cruelty and violence among people. Arkow spoke in depth about the correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence, From left: Hawaiian Humane child abuse and elder Society Board Chair abuse. “Animal cruelty is Ginny Tiu, Phil Arkow, often just the tip of the Hawaiian Humane Society President & CEO Pamela iceberg,” said Arkow, who Burns and City & County cited statistics that 41 Prosecuting Attorney percent of those who abuse Keith Kaneshiro. people were found to have a history of animal abuse. The national statistics shared during the presentation illustrated the intrinsic value of animals and interconnectedness of crime and how animal abuse should not be addressed in isolation. The incidence of animal abuse was found in 88 percent of homes with child abuse. Children who had been exposed to domestic violence were reported to be three times more likely to be cruel to animals. Arkow also urges policy makers and those who set human services issues as a higher priority than animal issues to take note that the role of pets in family life has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. More children are growing up with pets than live-in fathers. Ninetynine percent of all pet owners today
consider pets as a family member or a close companion. The role of animals in families has never been more important and pivotal to the family dynamic. Thanks in part to renewed interest in how animal abuse is linked to human violence, legislators are more receptive to animal welfare legislation. Several states now have increased penalties for animal abuse committed in the presence of a child. In seven states, animal abuse is considered a form of domestic violence. “Animal abuse is family violence,” said Arkow, who coordinates the National Link Coalition, the national resource center on the link between animal abuse and human violence.
“The network of community caregivers must be cross-trained to recognize and report all forms of family violence.” Human service agencies should be trained to recognize the significance of animal cruelty, since animal abuse is a crime and often indicates or predicts other issues. More states are currently encouraging or requiring veterinarians, humane investigators and case workers to cross-report family violence. Hawaiian Humane Society invited Arkow to Honolulu to conduct educational training for staff and friends, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Domestic Violence Action Center continued on page 3