Child Abuse and Animal Cruelty

What is Cross-Reporting?

Cross-reporting means that when one agency learns about possible harm to a child or an animal, they share that information with the other agency. This helps make sure that both children and animals are protected. Animal cruelty and child abuse can sometimes happen in the same home. By sharing information, agencies can respond faster and keep families safer. Cross-reporting helps professionals work together to prevent further harm.

Questions?  Contact: Victoria Peters at victoria.peters@ct.gov 

Animal Cruelty Law in CT

• Connecticut General Assembly - Connecticut's Animal Cruelty Laws - updated 2024 https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/rpt/pdf/2024-R-0141.pdf
• The University of CT Law School - CT Animal Law
• Research Guides at University of Connecticut School of Law
• Richard Blumenthal on enhancing criminal penalties (2025) Sen. Blumenthal pushes for stricter animal abuse laws in Connecticut - YouTube

Cross Reporting Education

• Link to Cross Reporting Training with Phil Arkow (2024)  'The Link:' The Intersection of Animal Cruelty, Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence - Zoom
• Cross Reporting PowerPoint
• Cross Reporting Community Brochure
• Cross Reporting Process for DCF Social Workers

Cross Reporting Laws in CT

Office of Legislative Research

DCF Forms & Resources

• DCF-736 – Notification to Department of Agriculture of Suspected Animal harm, Neglect or Cruel Treatment
• DCF Policy 21-19 - Animal Abuse or Neglect:  Reporting Procedure
• DCF Mandated Reporting which includes Cross Reporting: Mandated Reporter Training

Reporting Animal Cruelty

• Cross Reporting in CT: Recognizing Animal Cruelty and Steps to Making a Report
• DCF-736 – Notification to Department of Agriculture of Suspected Animal harm, Neglect or Cruel Treatment
• Department of Agriculture - Suspected Animal Abuse Report

Reports Concerning Actual or Suspected Animal Abuse - § 17a-100c
Animal Cruelty Report 2014
Animal Cruelty Report 2015
Animal Cruelty Report 2017
Animal Cruelty Report 2018
Animal Cruelty Report 2020
Animal Cruelty Report 2021
Animal Cruelty Report 2022
Animal Cruelty Report 2023
Animal Cruelty Report 2024
Animal Cruelty Report 2025

Resources for Pet Parents

The Link Research

• The FBI - The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence — LEB
• The Animal Legal Defense Fund - Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence - The Link Between Cruelty to Animals and Violence Toward Humans
• Power Control IPV
• The National Institute of Health - Understanding the Link between Animal Cruelty and Family Violence: The Bioecological Systems Model - PMC
• The National Link Coalition - What is the Link | National Link Coalition
• The National Sheriff's Association - Source: The American Humane Society - Animal Cruelty and Domestic Violence | NATIONAL SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION