Dog Ownership, Love, and Violentization among Young People in the United Kingdom

A growing body of evidence exists that establishes a link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. Companion animals, for example, are documented victims in the cycle of family violence, and among serious violent offenders. Dogs are most commonly identified in animal abuse and animal sexual assault, demonstrating a paradoxical relationship between humans and their most beloved companions. Amid a heightened concern over the rise in “status dogs”—perceived aggressive bull-type breeds—in the United Kingdom, three studies were conducted (between 2009 and 2020) on the use and abuse of dogs among youth groups and gangs. This chapter examines their findings to identify and explain the complex motivations for young people's dog ownership and the abuse implicit in this relationship. It argues that the status dog phenomenon is a contemporary example of the “Link” between animal abuse and youth interpersonal violence. Explanations that focus on extrinsic motivations are overly simplified. For many youths, it is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, the latter driven by empathy rather than a lack of compassion for their dog. These motivations are influenced by environmental and violentization processes, suggesting a more holistic psycho-social approach would be beneficial in explaining interspecies and interpersonal violence.