Dr. Randall Lockwood, Ph.D. - Understanding The Benefits and Risks of Animals to Humans on “Why Do Pets Matter?” with Debra Hamilton #160

Dr. Randall Lockwood is an internationally recognized expert on the connection between animal cruelty and human violence.  He currently consults with the ASPCA about policy, response, and engagement regarding animal abuse since he retired from his position as Senior Vice-President with them.  During this incredibly educational conversation, Randall and I talk about how pets benefit people, public health surrounding pets, and why people harm animals. We all know that while the pandemic has created a huge spike in pet adoptions -- a very good thing for both the people and pets, it has also been hard on a lot of people, both in terms of their resources and their mental health. When people are stressed or angry and they're always at home, that anger can be taken out on an animal, or a spouse, or even a child. Family pets are often ‘part of the domestic abuse cycle’ and there has been an increase in that since COVID hit the scene. Randall has done a lot of work with police agencies on issues related to dog shootings. Police departments throughout the country need to develop better training so officers can more accurately assess which dogs are life-threatening and dangerous and which are not. Most officers just aren't adequately trained to quickly and correctly assess the risks a dog poses and determine how to best handle the situation. Frequently, shooting a dog is a knee-jerk reaction by an officer not familiar with dogs. And, as police officers receive better training, the number of shootings is declining.