This article provides an in-depth look at theories that correlate acts of violence toward non-human animals and humans and suggests that there may be other causal explanations for this link, including empathy impairment and/or conduct disorder.

Popular and professional acceptance of the connection between types of violence toward non-human animals and humans shows that animal abuse is “relatively common among men, with violent offenders having an increased probability of reporting prior animal abuse — (and) with the majority of violent offenders not reporting any animal abuse.” Other possible factors that could contribute to the higher incidents of violence toward animals than humans include empathy impairment or conduct disorder. So far, there is insufficient research into these other potential risk factors and, according to this article’s author, theories that “assume that violence has a predominant, single underlying cause must be questioned.”