Childhood animal cruelty and interpersonal violence

Conduct disorder (CD) affects 2-9% of children in this country and has Dern found to he relatively stable through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. although many behaviors that comprise CD have been studied, there has been a lack of research on cruelty to animals. It has been suggested that animal cruelty may he exhibited by 25% of CD children and that animal abuse may he the earliest symptom evident in CD children. In addition, several studies have found a significant relationship between childhood cruelty to animals and violence toward peolpe. Available research is reviewed in this report, including early! studies on the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, recent assessment attempts, and intervention techniques. Future research needs are also outlined and discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.