Animal abusers are almost always alcohol or other-drug addicts.
Dear Doug
My friend loves a pet killer
Dear Doug:
My friend wants to marry a man despite the fact he deliberately and heinously killed her 10-year-old pet. She also admitted to me he’s abusive in other ways. She rejects professional help and says he’s wonderful and she’s happy. I fear for my friend’s life. Is there anything I can do?
Signed,
Concerned for her friend
. . . . .
Dear Friend of Codependent,
Other columnists would appropriately respond that if the boyfriend killed your friend’s pet, you and some other close people should gather with her and express alarm and concern for her safety. Everything should be done to get her to leave him immediately. A full-on intervention with a counselor might even be suggested, along with asking for advice from the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
All of this is sound advice. The only point other columnists would omit is the one they almost always miss: the abuser is almost assuredly an alcoholic. Every instance of animal abuse I have investigated has involved an alcohol or other-drug addict. Since such addicts are capable of anything, your friend is truly at risk.
(Source for story idea: Annie’s Mailbox, February 9, 2009.)