In about half of domestic violence cases, victims delay or do not escape their homes due to fear of their batterer or abuser, initiating or increasing violence upon their pets. Consequently the abuse and violence continues unabated; not only against the spouse but sometimes against children, elderly relatives, pets and livestock. The perpetrator will inflict cruelty to an animal in order to punish, control, manipulate or take revenge upon the spouse (for example, a wife threatens to leave her husband due to repeated acts of abuse upon her. To prevent her leaving, the husband kills her dog in order to …