The Link – Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and domestic violence is a topic that is taken very seriously at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).  Over the last decades, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals and caregivers have noted The Link: a connection between animal cruelty, abuse or neglect and incidences of violence in the home.

While once treated as separate though concerning acts, studies have shown that if an animal is being abused or neglected in the home, there is a great likelihood that one or more persons in the home are also being abused.  In fact, state and national surveys have shown that as many as 71% of battered women reported that their male partners had threatened to — or had — harmed or killed their pets.

In the City of Alexandria, the AWLA is part of a network of law enforcement agencies and support providers who investigate instances of domestic abuse, both against people and animals.  “Our close relationship with the Alexandria police and sheriff’s departments means that the AWLA’s Animal Services are called to the scene if an animal is found to be abused or neglected,” says AWLA COO Stella Hanly, “and our officers are considered mandatory reporters for instances of abuse and neglect uncovered during any animal investigations.  We are part of a united front aiming to end the cycle of abuse and neglect, no matter whether it is against a human or an animal.”

In April 2019, the state of Virginia passed “Tommie’s Law,” which makes animal cruelty a Class 6 felony.  Prior to the passage of this law, animal cruelty could only be considered a felony if the animal died as a result of its injuries, but under the new statute, “cruelly or unnecessarily beating, maiming, mutilating, or killing a dog or cat” can lead to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

This law went into effect on July 1, and working with the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the AWLA is currently pursuing two separate cases of felony animal abuse in the City of Alexandria.  While details of these cases cannot be shared while the criminal trials are ongoing, the AWLA sees this as an important marker of the values of Alexandria residents. “We are glad that municipalities across the state are able to prosecute animal cruelty with the appropriate level of severity, and hopefully these charges can serve to prevent further cases of abuse from the offenders.” says Hanly.  In 2019, the United States federal government also passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture, or PACT, Act, making animal cruelty a federal felony nationwide.

If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic violence, please contact Alexandria’s Domestic Violence Program at 703-746-4911.  If you see or know of any instances of animal cruelty, please call the Alexandria Police at 703-746-4444.

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If you have questions about the AWLA’s statement about the Link or our involvement in Alexandria’s Coordinated Community Response efforts, please contact us at 703-746-4774 or connect@alexandriaanimals.org.