Unfortunately, domestic violence calls are known to correlate with various other types of abuse. 71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet. The fear of violence against a dear pet can make victims feel trapped in violent situations. During a domestic violence call in Jefferson County, Alabama, authorities found a gravely abused dog.
Abused dog discovered during domestic violence call
On April 22, deputies responded to a domestic violence incident, according to AL News. During the call, deputies found a small dog that was suffering from skin and fur loss. The dog was also severely malnourished. Sheriff’s Lt. Joni Money said the abused dog appeared to be the victim of long-term neglect. Greater Birmingham Humane Society took the dog in. Money said it is unknown if the dog will survive the injuries. Thankfully, the human victim was not seriously injured. Investigators determined the suspect in the domestic violence incident was also the suspect in the dog’s abuse.
“Heinous acts such as this, will not be ignored,” said Sheriff Mark Pettway regarding the case. “We are proud of the partnership we have built with The Greater Birmingham Humane Society and we will continue to work together to stop the abuse and neglect of defenseless animals.”
If you want to help with this ongoing case, you can donate to The Greater Birmingham Humane Society at www.gbhs.org/donate. While it’s still unclear if the abused dog will recover, the Humane Society hopes to help with veterinary intervention.
Helping human and canine abuse victims
There are steps anyone can take to support human and animal survivors. Consider donating to, or volunteering at, a domestic violence shelter that welcomes pets. Domestic violence shelters don’t always accept animals. But, domestic violence shelters that allow animals are often the only option for those who fear for their pet’s life. Almost half (48 percent) of domestic violence victims will delay or cancel their escape altogether out of fear of leaving their pets behind. The fear of leaving behind a beloved pet not only impacts the pet’s safety but that of their human family members as well.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are options for help. For a complete list of organizations and shelters that may be able to help a victim of domestic violence flee with their pets, check out the SAF-T website.
