"Harm to animals is one of the clearest early signals that something is wrong. When a partner hurts a dog, cat, or any other animal, it may be used as intimidation, punishment, or a rehearsal for escalating abuse."— Dr. Michael LoSasso, DVM
Episode summary
This episode addresses one of the less-discussed responsibilities of emergency veterinary medicine: recognizing and responding to the connection between animal cruelty and intimate partner violence. Dr. LoSasso explains that harm to animals is one of the earliest and clearest signals of domestic violence — often appearing long before visible injuries on a person — and that veterinarians occupy a unique position as trusted community professionals who may be among the first to see the warning signs.
He describes how abuse manifests in injury patterns that raise concern: unexplained bruising, fractures that don't match the story, repeated accidents, delayed treatment, or abandonment scenarios that feel wrong — like an "injured stray" who arrives wrapped in a blanket, suggesting someone left in a hurry during a crisis.
Dr. LoSasso also addresses why people stay when pets are threatened: fear that the animal will be harmed if left behind keeps many victims trapped. He emphasizes the importance of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, foster networks, and safe haven programs that can temporarily house animals when a family needs to leave.
"When a partner hurts an animal, it may be used as intimidation, punishment, or a rehearsal for escalating abuse. For friends and family, noticing someone being unusually harsh or cruel to a pet can be a critical warning sign long before visible injuries appear on a person."— Dr. Michael LoSasso, DVM
Resources for pet owners in dangerous situations
Domestic violence hotlines can direct callers to pet-friendly shelters, foster networks, and safe haven programs that temporarily house animals. Many regions coordinate rapid transport for larger animals. If you or someone you know may be in a dangerous situation, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.
Questions answered in this episode
The following questions are answered by Dr. LoSasso in this episode, drawn directly from the conversation. These are real clinical answers from a practicing emergency veterinarian with 30+ years of experience.
Dr. LoSasso explains that the connection between animal cruelty and intimate partner violence is well established. When a partner harms an animal, it may be used as intimidation, punishment, or a rehearsal for escalating abuse. For friends and family, noticing someone being unusually harsh or cruel to a pet can be a critical warning sign long before visible injuries appear on a person. Violence in the home rarely begins with a dramatic moment — it often starts with smaller acts that test control, fear, and silence.
Dr. LoSasso says certain injury patterns raise concern: unexplained bruising, fractures that don't match the story, repeated accidents, delays in seeking treatment, or abandonment scenarios that feel wrong — like an injured 'stray' who arrives wrapped in a blanket, suggesting someone left the pet behind during a crisis. As veterinarians, they focus on animal health, but they are also trusted community professionals who may be the only ones to see warning signs. The best approach blends careful documentation, calm questions, and internal protocols for when suspicion is high.
Dr. LoSasso explains that many victims delay leaving an abusive situation because they believe their animal will be harmed if left behind. Pet safety is not a small detail — it is often the deciding factor. This is why pet-friendly domestic violence shelters, foster networks, and safe haven programs that temporarily house animals are so important. When communities can offer safe placement for the pet, more victims are able to leave.
Dr. LoSasso recommends having a private conversation away from the home, listening without blame, and offering concrete help: a ride, a place for the pet, or assistance finding local services. Domestic violence hotlines can direct callers to pet-friendly shelters and safe haven programs. When someone clearly discloses abuse, the guidance should be direct: do not go home, contact a domestic violence hotline or shelter, and make a safety plan that includes the pet.
Dr. LoSasso says the best approach blends careful documentation, calm and respectful questions, and a clear internal protocol for when suspicion is high — including involving animal services or law enforcement when appropriate. Clinics that can discreetly separate an owner from a partner and bring in a trained counselor or social worker create a safer space for disclosure. When someone discloses abuse, the guidance must be simple: do not go home, contact a hotline, and make a safety plan.
JulieToday we have a conversation about the connection between violence in the home and harm to animals, and why recognizing the signs can save lives.
Dr. LoSassoIt's good to be with you even when the topic is heavy.
JulieYou haven't had to see too many cases of domestic violence and animal abuse at the clinic, but you feel there's a lot that goes unreported.
Dr. LoSassoWe know there's a lot of animal abuse out there. I think I've seen two cases that I knew were violence toward a pet in 33 years — so it's not a common thing for us to see in an emergency practice. But it's probably also one of those things that, if you're going to do that, you're not bringing them to an emergency hospital. If your partner does that, you may be afraid to bring the pet in, because when those things are going on in the home, there's often emotional or physical abuse or both, and financial control over the checkbook. Abuse of pets is certainly an indicator of a potentially escalating domestic violence situation. If your significant other is abusing the dog or cat, it could very well escalate to you.
Dr. LoSassoChildren exposed to that have all kinds of problems later in life. Children who are the ones abusing animals need serious psychological intervention. I had a pet brought in that was very intentionally injured by a teenager — we were able to recover that amazingly sweet dog — but the father put that teenager in a psychiatric hospital that day. There was no question. There was a psychotic break. The statistics are wide because it's underreported. Some say 1 in 5 households with intimate partner violence will have animal abuse. Some say 90%. If you go to your sister's house and her husband is super mean to the dog, that puts me on an increased index of suspicion about whether she's really okay — because animal cruelty is an earlier warning sign than her showing up with a black eye.
JulieIf somebody comes in and they need to get out of that situation, what resources are available?
Dr. LoSassoIf someone actually tells us what's going on, we absolutely can help them get to resources. When both partners come in together, we have to find a way to separate them — including calling the police if we think someone is really in danger. As health professionals and trusted community members, we have a responsibility to intercede. We know violence against pets frequently happens before or at the same time as intimate partner violence.
Dr. LoSassoWe had animal control bring in a stray found in a Walmart parking lot wrapped in a blanket. Strays don't wrap themselves in blankets. That was clearly an abandonment — but without a link to who it was, it's hard to say why. We are very aware when we look at any injury that isn't clearly vehicular — bruises, fractures — of what might be going on. If our counselor is there, we'll have her go have a conversation about the pet that might segue into what's going on at home.
Dr. LoSassoIf we know it's an abusive situation, we get authorities involved. For us, that's Animal Services — a subsection of the police department in our city. It's important that the whole staff is aware of the potential when we think an animal is being abused and checks on those owners. Now, that's not something you find in very many veterinary hospitals. I think there's one or two others in the country that have a social worker on site.
Dr. LoSassoA lot of women won't leave an abusive situation because they think they have to leave the dog or the cat — or even the horse — behind. It's a very real fear that things won't get better for that pet. There are domestic violence shelters that take pets, and safe haven programs with partners in other groups. There are even places in the Frisco area that will pull up with a trailer in the middle of the night and haul a horse off. There are resources for people afraid of leaving their pet behind.