“Animal abuse is also often used by stalkers as a means of terrifying and distressing the victim with dead pets being left for them to find on their doorsteps. Animal abuse is a high risk indicator and predictive of a high risk of serious harm or homicide being inflicted on the victim.”http://www.rachelhorman.co.uk/2018/03/animal-abuse-and-coercive-control/ 

“Killing of a victim’s pet is a frightening act which indicates dangerousness and high risk.” https://acws.ca/sites/default/files/documents/STALKINGHandout.pdf

“Although only 2 percent of stalkers commit homicide, half of them threaten their victims with violence or say they are going to damage property or injure pets, according to studies.” https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/25/science/researchers-unravel-the-motives-of-stalkers.html

“Acts of cruelty against animals are now counted alongside felony crimes like arson, burglary, assault, and homicide in the FBI’s expansive criminal database.” https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/-tracking-animal-cruelty