Practitioners in animal welfare, law enforcement and social services have often maintained that childhood cruelty to animals is a forerunner to violence against people. Does this behavior serve as a red flag with respect to extremely violent offenders, such as serial killers? Is it part of the cycle of violence associated with domestic abuse? The authors evaluate data and correlations.

The evidence is mounting that animal abuse, frequently embedded in families scarred by domestic violence and child abuse and neglect often predicts the potential for other violent acts. This book encourages researchers and professionals to recognize animal abuse as a significant problem and a human public-health issue that should be included as a curriculum topic in training.