New book to help professionals prevent animal abuse
The book is aimed at profesionals who support young people and children that have been involved in animal abuse.
The Scottish SPCA and the University of Edinburgh have released Understanding Animal Abuse and How to Intervene with Children and Young People: A Practical Guide for Professionals Working with People and Animals.
The book is aimed at professionals who support young people and children that have been involved in animal abuse. It offers the latest research on children, young people and animal abuse, explores the link between animal and human abuse, and covers the legal aspects of the issue.
In the guide, professionals are given knowledge of the services that are available in their local area to help safeguard the welfare of both humans and animals. It also includes a tool kit to help understand, prevent and intervene in cases of animal abuse.
The Scottish SPCA runs a programme for young people who are showing concerning behaviours towards animals, for which it has received over 300 referrals in the past few years. The charity also runs the education programme Animal WISE, and in the 1990s it launched the First Strike campaign that helped humans and animals affected by domestic violence. The campaign was subsequently re-launched in 2020.
Co-author and Scottish SPCA director of innovation & strategic relations, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: “Through Animal WISE and First Strike, we know abuse of animals is linked to a host of serious and violent behaviours. Those who abuse animals may go on to harm people if no intervention takes place, and we are determined to break that link."
Professor Jo Williams, co-author and director of the Centre for Applied Developmental Psychology at the University of Edinburgh said: “There are many factors involved in cases of animal abuse, and sometimes it is difficult to know what to do or who to turn to when you come across a young person harming an animal. This book synthesises international research evidence on child and adolescent animal abuse, and provides a guide for professionals to prevent and intervene in cases of animal abuse.
“The aim is to share this knowledge with a range of professional groups, from teachers to vets, and provide step-by-step guides about what they can do in their professional practice to prevent and intervene in cases of animal abuse.”
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
