CANADA: Pets inspire abused women to fight on

A Canadian academic has shown how women trapped in abusive relationships often find the will to keep living because of the need to care for their dogs. Dr Amy Fitzgerald, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology at the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, said field research has shown the need to care for their animals actually helped prevent women from committing suicide.

"Some of the women reported they had contemplated suicide but they credited their pets with keeping them alive. It was surprising," Fitzgerald told the Windsor Star newspaper.

Sadly there is also a downside: many women stay in abusive relationships longer than they should because of the fear of leaving their dog to enter a woman's shelter, which in many cases refuse to accept pets.

"It's a safety concern. But, for some, asking them to leave their pets is like asking them to leave their children," Fitzgerald said.

The study found dogs in particular try to protect their owners by biting or snarling at the abusers. This did not always create a positive situation, with the dogs then being attacked themselves. The abused women would sometimes hide their pets away if they sensed an abusive partner was in a bad mood; keeping them safe when a threat was imminent.

Fitzgerald hopes the results from the study and her continued work will lead to more abuse shelters being willing to accommodate victims and their dogs.

monica.dobie@uw-news.com