Other such animal cruelty like cock and dog fighting are also on the rise for the Midwest Region (Getz, par. 2). Laura McCloskey also found a direct relationship, weak in theory but however present between firesetters and people who are cruel to animals. She states, "youths who are both firesetters and cruel to animals are especially at risk of delinquency. Firesetting and animal cruelty have been linked conceptually because of their covert nature and empirical evidence indicating an overlap between these two behaviors" (page 6). She further elaborates that the tendency toward such behavior will over time lead to other delinquencies. It is believed such behavior is learned and can be found in paternal influence but also is a symptom of other pyschiactric problems that need diagnosis and attention. McCloskey writes, "These findings lend support to the belief that firesetters and youths who commit animal cruelty may need to be treated as multiproblem youths even if not clinically diagnosed. Finally, it is apparent that firesetting is a statistically significant predictor for juvenile delinquency" (page 7). Her studies show the foundation of most criminal behaviors can be found in early childhood development and start with common act of "acting out" and then lead to more severe acts such as animal cruelty. With each action, the level of violence intensifies as the repercussions become greater. These behaviors are really a cry for help and should not be ignored. Conclusion

For too...

Getz explains "The one thing we're learning is, the victim is reluctant to leave the house for two reasons: one is the children, the other is the family pet. And now family violence people are looking at making some provisions" (par. 8). The objective of this paper was to investigate the relationship between domestic violence and animal cruelty. This paper explored briefly this relationship and took a look at the research to support this thesis. The sad fact remains an aggressor will abuse any victim whether it is woman, child or animal. Violence toward animals has become so commonplace that many states have passed animal protection rights laws. It is important that today's social worker become educated in recognizing such abuse and play a role in making sure it does not continue to happen.
Works Cited

American Humane Urges Alabama to Strengthen Pet Protection Act." PR Newswire

Getz, Jim. "WORKSHOP LINKS ANIMAL ABUSE to DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PETS CAN PROVIDE CLUES to BIGGER PROBLEM." St. Louis Post-Dispatch 16 Nov. 2000.

McCloskey, Laura a. "A study of firesetting and animal cruelty in children: family influences and adolescent outcomes." Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2004).

Meyer, Diana Lambdin. "Animal Abusers More Likely to Abuse People." Contemporary Women's Issues 1 Sept. 1996.

Strand, Elizabeth B. "Domestic violence and…