A conexão entre as violências: um diagnóstico da relação entre os maus-tratos aos animais e a violência interpessoal | The connection between violence: a diagnosis of the relationship between animal abuse and interpersonal violence

In the last decades, scientific researches from all over the world have proven the existence of a connection between cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence, that is, the occurrence of animal abuse is not a factor that happens in an isolated way in society, being the violence against animals, a factor recognized as a sign of problems in the family environment. The aim of this study was to describe the animal abuse in the city of Belo Horizonte and to analyze the existing connection between police occurrences of mistreatment of domestic animals and interpersonal violence. An observational epidemiological study was carried out through the collection of data from four different sources, namely: Specialized Police Station for the Investigation of Crimes Against Fauna, Specialized Division for Assistance to Women, the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities, Superintendence of Information and Police Intelligence and Special Criminal Court from 2016 to 2020 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Records of mistreatment of animals showed a greater number of cruelty compared to records of omission, with intentional intoxication and aggression being the most frequent types of mistreatment active. Active maltreatment generated more deaths compared to neglect, and although the dog is the category of animals most affected in both types of mistreatment found in this study, felines were more victims of cruel crimes with a greater chance to die. Women who were victims of domestic violence were more frequently victims by their spouses or ex-spouses, with psychological, moral and physical violence being the most practiced by their aggressors. In part of the homes where there were pets, they suffered some kind of animal abuse, with beating and psychological aggression being the most frequent forms. The children and adolescents of the women who were victims of violence often suffered violence from the woman's aggressors and they were at greater risk when alcohol was consumed in the family environment. Through this study it is concluded that it is essential to promote a critical reflection in relation to the way that society relates to its animals and how they are seen by the authorities, police and public bodies. Violence scenarios must be approached in a multiprofessional and multisectoral manner. The understanding on the part of these actors responsible for dealing with violence, whether in the act, in surveillance or in punishment is fundamental for the cycles of violence to be broken. In addition, it is important for the reality of violence to be approached holistically - from the family's perspective, from the aggressor's history, from the direct and indirect victims, children and animals involved and from the context of vulnerability that can predispose family ambit to various forms of violence.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico