Scottish SPCA

First Strike

First Strike Scotland was launched by the Scottish SPCA as an extension of the First Strike campaign started in America.

The campaign's main aim is to draw attention to the link between cruelty to animals and human violence.

Research has demonstrated that a child who is cruel to animals is at an increased risk of harming other people. The child may also be a victim of abuse or suffering from a mental health problem.

There is also an increased risk of domestic abuse in a household in which an animal has been deliberately harmed.

We would like to see the link between cruelty to animals and human violence formally recognised across government agencies in Scotland.