Until the last decade of the twentieth century, the abusive or cruel treatment of animals had received virtually no attention among academicians, particularly sociologists, criminologists, social workers, and family scholars. This was true despite its surprisingly common occurrence, its disturbing nature, and its negative consequences for both people and animals.

Sociologists, criminologists, social workers, psychologists, legal scholars, feminists, and others are recognizing the myriad reasons that animal abuse is worthy of serious scholarly focus.