Silent Victims

"ALL PICTURES AND LINKS ARE SHARED FROM MY EMAIL FROM ASPCA"

Manhattan, NY—ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrive at the scene and arrest Richard Smith, 24, on multiple charges related to domestic violence. Smith is accused of assaulting his 21-year-old girlfriend and severely beating their two-year-old dog. Multiple attacks had allegedly occurred over the past few months.


Tragically, one of the reasons domestic violence victims delay seeking help is out of fear that their abuser will harm their beloved companion animal—and too often they are right. Studies show that 85% of women who enter domestic violence shelters report incidents of pet abuse in the home.

"Animals are often the silent victims of domestic violence," says Joe Pentangelo, Assistant Director, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement. "As we have seen too often, the brutality associated with domestic violence affects other members of the household, including pets."

The ASPCA works tirelessly to educate the public on the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence—and provide aid to animal victims. But there is a long road ahead. Please donate today and lend a hand to those who need it most—the millions of victims with nowhere left to turn.