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. National and cultural variation in attitudes toward these behaviors have been noted; countries and cultures with more progressive ideas about animals have widely acknowledged the pain and fear they experience, and how these responses are analogous to those of humans. In contrast, cultures in which animals are devalued and their abuse normalized may foster the social acceptability and frequency of cruelty (Plant et al. 2016). Animal cruelty has also been consistently linked to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child abuse, including emotional abuse (DeGue and DiLillo 2009). In addition to the potential for being physically victimized by an animal abuser in the home, researchers and clinicians have recognized that simply witnessing animal cruelty may have negative effects; for example, women who witnessed animal abuse by their domestic partner reported more psychological distress and lower levels of social support than either men or binary individuals (Riggs et al. 2018). There is growing evidence that witnessing animal abuse can negatively affect children as well (eg, Ascione et al. 2007; Becker et al. 2004; Daly and Morton 2008; Girardi and Pozzulo 2015; McDonald et al.

2016). This paper will review will explore the sequelae of childhood witnessing of animal cruelty. A growing body of research implicates witnessing animal cruelty as a predictor of various maladaptive behaviors in children,(eg, aggression and violence), which may continue throughout the individual’s lifespan (Thompson and Gullone 2006). The purpose of this review is to synthesize the literature on the sequelae of childhood witnessing of cruelty to animals, specifically externalizing symptoms (negative behaviors directed towards others) or internalizing symptoms (negative behaviors directed inward) and later cruelty to animals and humans. Little research exists on how exposure to animal cruelty can be a traumatic experience, with cascading negative consequences for child witnesses. The mechanisms by which witnessing animal cruelty affects behavior have been debated by experts in the field, who have proposed various theories and models to explain the relation. Social learning theory suggests that children may reenact witnessed animal cruelty (Baldry 2003; DeGue and DiLillo 2009). Further, it has been suggested that children who witness animal cruelty are more likely to abuse animals if the abuser is a friend or relative (Thompson and Gullone 2006) or an individual to whom the child feels close–a significant other (Plant et al. 2016). The most comprehensive review to date of studies examining the relationship between childhood witnessing of animal cruelty and negative emotionality and behavior is Gullone’s 2012 review on the role of exposure to domestic violence, animal cruelty, and media violence in the commission of subsequent animal cruelty. The key assessments from Gullone’s review include: 1. Childhood witnessing of violence and aggression towards people and animals is one of the prime risk factors for the perpetration of animal cruelty and violent acts in general, 2: Youth exposed at an early age to hurting or angry …