Does anyone know the reason behind animal abuse?

Question

Ok so my friend's husband has abused her cat a few times, and is now "scaring the cat for kicks". He has never shown any other signs of abuse toward people, kids, or even other animals for that matter. In fact he has a dog that he adores.

My friend loves her cat more than most people love their animals, ie... she's always talking about the cat, the cat comes first before things most people wouldn't put before animals. Although she has never put the cat before her husband.

Should she be scared? I always read that people who harm animals have deep psychological problems. Should she separate from him - he keeps saying he'll stop, but he continues to do it, than will lie to her about it. She finds out bc of her cat's behavior - acting finicky and scared.

Also any ideas why he has this sort of behavior. He had a healthy home life growing up. Maybe he's just jealous of the cat?

What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Abuse in general many times stems from the need to have control, and to dominate. Where that need came from is anyone's guess, but it's not an unreasonable stretch that his behavior with the cat could possibly spread to treatment of other animals and possibly people.

If he takes great sadstic pleasure in this and is willing to lie to his wife about his indulgence, then she's got bigger problems than a husband who likes to heckle cats.

Answer 2

She needs to put her foot down and not toerate that behavior. Regardless of the "i'm sorries" If it continues, she needs to think of the welfare of her cat. Pick him or the cat. I'm not trying to be mean, nor am I saying she should or shouldn't leave him, but if she stays with him she needs to think of her cat and find him a good home where he can live in peace.

As for your concerns about his mental state: The reason youv'e read that people who harm animals have psych problems is because abusers, rapeists, murderers, ect.... start with animals when they are young and evolve into everything else later. Because it is only this one cat, and has no prior background in harming animals, I wouldn't worry about anything. My guess is your guess. Jelousy.
But what ever the motive is, it is wrong for the cat to live in that state. She needs to stop waiting for him to change and take action now. My heart goes out to that poor cat.
Good luck to her.

Answer 3

I think the guy is a complete loser. He may have had a healthy life growing up.. but seriously?!! Hurting a defenseless cat??

If I were her I'd tell the husband to get the f$@% out whenever he does it again. He could end up putting the cat in a worse condition.. what if she comes home and he has beat the cat with a bat or something?

Answer 4

Whoa. First thing first: is she putting up with it? I don't want to sound mean but if she is, the cat should be taken away and placed in a good home because she is just as bad letting the abuse happen. Second, how's their relationship? He might be doing it because he is trying to get back at her. Honestly though if he is doing that I would bet money that he has hit her once or twice or is building up to it. Abusers are abusers, pure and simple. One of these days that angry little man with continue on to humans when he stops getting his jollys from the cat. It's the same as a bully at school picking on the small kid who CAN"T fight back. One day the bully will graduate to college and start picking on bigger prey. She needs to leave him especially if they have kids but it sounds like she won't. Try to convince her to give the cat away. If she loves it, she wouldn't want it to continue to go through that type of torture anymore.

Answer 5

Wow...that is pretty sick. My husband professes to not like our cat, but I catch him petting her and baby talking her, giving her treats, all the time. I call her his girlfriend.
I dunno though, I think it's the same with animals as it is with people. People terrorize other people for control. He feels like he can't abuse his wife, but he can abuse her cat. It's control, sounds like. How would he feel if she abused his dog? And some people just do not like cats and feel they have no right to even live. My husband is a dog man but he values life, period, animals and people. He didn't care much for my bird either, but he remembered to feed him when I wasn't home.
Sounds like a control problem, maybe. She should probably leave the ****** but most people would probably say a cat is not worth a relationship, however, it could be a sign of future events. Do they have children??? Sounds like he might have a dark issue she isn't aware of.

Answer 6

** I actually read the entire question, not like most of the previous responses. **


I cannot help but wonder if you're friend is the one with the problem and has an unhealthy attachment to this cat. The husband sounds like he despises the cat because it is affecting their marriage. i do not approve of animal cruelty in any way and this husband needs a more mature outlet for his anger. But do you think that your friend could be neglecting the marriage by being over attentive to this cat?

Answer 7

That's a very good question!You know, I was sitting outside the other day and seen my husband of 10 years saying mean stuff to our dog of 1 year. I was appalled because he never speaks like this to me...I would drop kick him.

Anyways, I figured he was mad or something but realized that he always does this. I confronted him about it and he says...she likes it...OK, well....here's my conclusion.

He must feel like he has control over this animal...maybe a control that he does not have in real life? Because whats the dog going to do about it? I see your point but I warned my husband if Ever caught him doing that again, I will call animal control....ON HIM :)

Answer 8

People who abuse animals are the lowest form of life, as someone in a Justice profession they eventually get board with animals and move on to people.

Answer 9

Animal abuse is the number one sign of psychosis.
Most murderers at one time were abusing animals.
rapists? abused animals.
Your friend needs to get the hell out of there.
Read up on this. I'm not just talking off the top of my head.

Answer 10

Anyone who would harm an animal, is an extremely sick and disturbed individual, who should be in a mental hospital, or a prison. If you can harm an animal , you can harm a human.
You should report this person to the police, it is your responsibility as a human.