Attitude to animals: An indicator of risk of interpersonal violence?

Recent research has highlighted links between violence to animals and violence to people. Drawing on data investigating links between aggression and attitudes to animals, this paper assesses the utility of such theories, in particular addressing links between domestic violence, child abuse and harm to companion animals. We conclude that whilst causal relationships between attitudes to animals and violent behaviour cannot be established as yet, animals may well provide an insight into the cycle of abuse and therefore attitudes towards animals may be utilised to develop early intervention and prevention measures.