cat mutilation

[lmelina@moscow.com (Lois Melina)]

The following information is from the book "Attachment, Trauma, and Healing"
by Levy and Orlans, published in 1998 by the Child Welfare League of
America. It may or may not be useful in understanding the cat killings here:

        "Children with severe attachment disorder sometimes exhibit cruelty
to animals and a preoccupation with fire, including fire setting.
        Cruelty to animals is one of the most disturbing manifestations of
attachment disorder. It ranges from annoying family pets (e.g., tail
pulling, rough play, kicking,) to severe transgressions (e.g. strangulation,
mutilation). These children lack the capacity to give and receive affection
with pets, lack the motivation and sense of responsibility necessary to
provide appropriate care, and are not able to empathize with the suffering
of animals. They often delight in venting their frustrations and hostilities
on helpless creatures to compensate for feelings of powerlessness and
inferiority.
        Margaret Mead (1964) suggested that childhood cruelty to animals is
a precurser to adult antisocial violence. Researchers found that the
combination of cruelty to animals, enuresis, and fire setting predicted
later violent and criminal behaviors in adults (hellman & Blackman 1966).
Researchers at Northeastern University found that children who abuse animals
are five times more likely to commit violent crimes as adults. The FBI's
Behavioral Science Unit found that a majority of multiple murderers admitted
to cruelty to animals during childhood (Cannon 1997).
        Parental abuse of children was the most common etiological factor
found in cruelty to animals (Tapia 1971). Erick Fromm (1973) noted that
children who are sadistic are usually themselves the victims of cruel
treatment. Schowalter (1983) concluded that cruelty to animals represents a
displacement of aggression from the child to a helpless animal. Cline (1992)
suggests that a pet in the home of a child with attachment disorder is an
endangered species. We have found that animal harassment and abuse is often
undetected by the parents. The child can be remarkable surreptitious in his
or her offenses. Unknowing parents are at a loss as to why the family's
gerbils and parakeets mysteriously die.  (pp. 105-106).
************************
Lois Melina
Editor, "Adopted Child" newsletter
P.O. Box 9362
Moscow ID 83843

phone: (208)882-1794
fax: (208)883-8035
Lmelina@moscow.com
www.raisingadoptedchildren.com