In domestic violence cases, police are more likely to make arrests when pets are abused, too

People abused by intimate partners regularly cite fear for their pet's safety as a primary reason they do not leave an abusive situation. Sjale/ Illustration: iStock / Getty Images Plus

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. households have at least one pet, and almost all see their pet as a family member.

Unfortunately, in homes where violence occurs, pets can also be victims of this harm. Research studies consistently support the link between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence.