Domestic Violence affects children, teenagers, women, and men but one of the most overlooked victims remain the pets. In my own experience the first dog saint in my life was a beautiful golden Shepard, Bessie. She was more in touch with my feelings of isolation then I was. She provided comfort in a way that served as a life-ring during the incredible storm of abuse I was enduring. When the relationship ended, so did the one I had with the dog because she ‘belonged’ to him. Sadly, her own life ended in neglect years later, alone. Just thinking of her dismal end brings tears to my eyes and I feel a responsibility to state very clearly, that like people, no animal should suffer abuse.
Women who flee their abusive relationship often find that shelters can not take their pets, and in some cases they will return to the batterer for fear of the animals safety.
To learn more from about Animal Cruelty/Domestic Violence follow this link to the Humane Society Fact Sheet: http://bit.ly/45VQjI
