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B ella, an 11-year-old Shepherd mix, was killed by her caregiver on Dec. 23, 2016, in Long Island, New York. He tightened a zip tie around her
neck, stuffed her in a garbage bag, and beat her with a metal shovel. Due to the extent of her injuries, Bella had to be euthanized. Despite
the seriousness of the crime, Bella’s abuser received only four months in county jail – that’s not justice.
When humans or animals in a home are abused or neglected, it creates a warning signal that others in the
household may not be safe. Numerous studies document multifaceted links between acts of cruelty to animals and violence toward others, including domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and other antisocial behavior.
This complex web is commonly referred to as “The Link.”
GATEWAY CRIMES
Director’s Letter
Colleagues:
In a time when our local police departments and sheriffs’ offices are constantly trying to do more with less, we can all appreciate and welcome any help the community can offer them in their efforts to keep us safe. And while apprehending criminals and bringing them to jus- tice is an important function of local law enforcement, communities are still safer when those crimes are prevented in the first place—especially when the crimes in question are violent or even deadly.
This publication discusses the fact that crimes of cruelty to animals are often precursors to crimes of violence and abuse against people. It outlines the ways in which law enforcement practitioners’ maintaining awareness of animal cruelty—including by bridging the communi- cation gap with their colleagues in animal control—can expose warning signs in homes of the possibility or likelihood that other crimes are imminent and may help anticipate and prevent those crimes before they are committed.
The National Sheriffs’ Association and the National Coalition on Violence Against Animals have collaborated on a COPS Office cooperative agreement to increase awareness of the dan- gers to the community of animal cruelty and abuse. Addressing and preventing this type of crime will make the whole community safer in the long run.
Sincerely,
Phil Keith Director
Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence
Historically, animal cruelty has been considered an isolated issue, but recent research shows a well-documented link that it
is a predictive or co-occurring crime with violence against humans (including intimate partners, children, and elders) and is
associated with other types of violent offenses. Increased awareness of this linkage and a collaborative approach to these
investigations strengthens the identification and reduction of such crimes.1
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