Abstract
Excerpt: The multifaceted nature of the human-animal bond has been well-documented throughout history (Braje 2011). Much attention has been paid to the benefits that may accrue, at least to humans, from interacting with non-human animals (referred to in this paper as simply “animals”), and fields of study have developed around the therapeutic potential of these interactions (Braje 2011; Flynn 2011). What is less understood, but is of equal relevance to researchers, is the “dark side” of the bond: animal cruelty, including abuse and neglect.