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State Leaders address ‘The Link’ between Child Abuse, Animal Cruelty

Branford’s Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter and its animal control services, a model for the state for its extraordinary efforts including assisting animals harmed by cruelty, drew state legislators and leaders to its doors on April 19.

The leadership came to town to discuss the strong correlation between animal cruelty, child abuse and other forms of interpersonal violence – referred to as “The Link” - and the proactive steps Connecticut is taking to address the issues. April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove, State Senator Christine Cohen, State Representative Robin Comey, and Cosgrove Shelter Director Laura Burban welcomed Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, state officials, agency leaders, and animal welfare advocates.

On behalf of Branford, Cosgrove thanked them for bringing attention to the important issues at hand. As the event was taking place during Animal Control Officers (ACO’s) Appreciation Week, Cosgrove also recognized the important work of the Town’s ACO’s under direction of Burban. He said the shelter staff and ACO’s go above and beyond with community and youth educational outreach, training and programs, in addition to responding to animal welfare calls, including those involving difficult situations.

“As we’re going to hear today, when we hear of issues of animal cruelty, there’s often other things going on. So this not only affects the individuals and the families, but really all of our communities,” Cosgrove said.

Bysiewicz thanked the Town of Branford for its dedication and investment in keeping animals safe, finding adoptive forever homes for animals in need, and supporting the needs of animals and the community with the new shelter.

Bysiewicz said there is a critical link involving cruelty to animals and child abuse.

“Its important to recognize the links between these acts of violence. The overlap of child abusers and animal abusers is significant. Research has shown that animals were harmed in 88% of the homes where a child was physically abused,” Bysiewicz said. “For victims of domestic violence, their abusers often look to exploit their emotional attachment to pets, and sadly, pets can become a part of an abuser’s coercive control over victims. Seventy-five percent of female survivors report their pets were threatened or intentionally harmed by their partner.”

In 2011, Connecticut passed a law requiring a coordinated agency response involving the Department of Agriculture (DOAG) and Department of Children and Families (DCF), based on the mounting evidence of the connection between animal abuse, child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse. Expanded in 2014, the law requires DCF staff and state, regional, and municipal ACO’s to work together to “cross report” to DOAG when they reasonably suspect that animal cruelty and child abuse and neglect has occurred. Additionally, DOAG is mandated to forward all animal cruelty reports to DCF for assessment which may lead to an investigation to determine the safety of children exposed to animal cruelty in the home.

“The cross-reporting tools have been integral in ensuring the wellbeing of children and animals,” said DOAG Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt.

Hurlburt said the collaborative approach with DCF and other state and municipal partners is also working to increase education and outreach of the connection between child abuse and animal cruelty. Due in part to increased education and outreach efforts by DCF and DOAG, animal cruelty reports have increased over the past several years.

Officials also reported that this year, working with ACO’s, state agencies began collecting more comprehensive data on animal cruelty occurring in open or prior DCF cases, to develop a more complete understanding of "The Link" relationship.

It was also noted on April 19 that Paws for Kids, a partnership between DCF and the animal advocacy community, promotes child and animal well-being through several efforts. Additionally, the officials recognized volunteer Desmond’s Army Animal Law Advocates for the group’s impactful work for animal welfare legislation, and for helping to raise awareness on the statistical connection between animal abuse and domestic and social violence.

Burban expressed her gratitude to all in attendance on April 19 for the recognition the event brought to the important work of the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter and its staff, supported by the community.

"With this being Animal Control Officers Appreciation Week and Animal Cruelty Prevention Month, we are grateful that our shelter is being highlighted for the extremely important work that the animal control officers and staff do on a daily basis to protect both the animals and the public. We have terrific support from the Town of Branford, and beyond, which allows us to continue to save as many lives as we do," said Burban.

In Branford, reports of animal cruelty can be made by contacting the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter at 203-315-4125. Reports to the state can emailed to AGR.AnimalControl@ct.gov and can remain anonymous. In cases involving a reasonable suspicion of child maltreatment, contact CT Child Abuse and Neglect Careline at 1-800-842-2288, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Callers can remain anonymous.