Pets as Silent Victims of Domestic Violence: How the Justice System Fails Both Animals and Humans

Introduction

Domestic violence is often portrayed as a crime that happens behind closed doors, hidden from public view. But what happens when the violence spills over to the most vulnerable and voiceless members of a household—the pets? For years, Derek F of La Pine, Oregon, has terrorized not just his human victims but their beloved animals, executing them with chilling cruelty while law enforcement turns a blind eye. His case is a harrowing example of how animal abuse and domestic violence intersect, and how systemic failures allow abusers to act with impunity.

The Pattern of Violence: A Timeline of Horror

Derek F’s reign of terror against animals is documented, deliberate, and escalating. Each act was designed to inflict maximum pain—not just on the animals, but on the humans who loved them:

February 7, 2021: Derek shot and killed Duke, a friendly neighborhood dog, for barking. Witnesses confirm Duke was not aggressive.
August 8, 2021: He beat a kitten until it was bloodied and left it to die.
September 1, 2021: In one of the most grotesque acts, he shot a child’s pet bunny at point-blank range and threw its body into a fire pit while the family watched in horror.
January 2022: He killed a neighbor’s cat simply for wandering into his yard.
July 2022: He bludgeoned a goose that had been raised from an egg—a beloved family pet.
Summer 2023: Neighbors reported him kicking a three-legged, disabled pig. No charges were filed.
July 2024: In a brazen act of defiance, he fed fiberglass insulation to pet goats, killing them—while under court-ordered supervision during a restraining order walkthrough.

These are not isolated incidents. They are calculated acts of terror, designed to show victims that no one—human or animal—is safe.

Animal abuse is the canary in the coal mine for domestic violence. Where you see one, you’ll almost always find the other.
Dr. Mary Lou Randour, Animal Welfare Institute

The Broken System: Why Abusers Get Away With It

Despite overwhelming evidence, Derek F has faced zero consequences. His case exposes three critical failures in our justice system:

1. Animal Cruelty Is Not Taken Seriously

Oregon’s animal cruelty laws (ORS 167.320) classify severe abuse as a felony, yet enforcement is shockingly rare, especially in rural areas. Police and prosecutors often dismiss these cases as “property crimes” rather than violent offenses.

Example: When neighbors reported Derek kicking the three-legged pig, officers did not even file a report.
Why it matters: Research shows that animal abusers are five times more likely to harm humans. Ignoring animal torture endangers people.

2. Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse Are Treated as Separate Issues

Abusers frequently target pets to control, manipulate, and silence their human victims. Yet courts rarely consider animal abuse in restraining orders or custody cases.

Example: Derek killed the goats while under a restraining order—proving that legal protections are meaningless without enforcement.
Why it matters: Up to 71% of domestic violence survivors report their abusers also harmed pets (National Link Coalition).

3. Law Enforcement Lacks Training and Accountability

Many officers don’t recognize animal cruelty as a red flag for broader violence. Even with video evidence or witnesses, cases are dropped.

Example: Despite Derek’s 2024 assault on a preschool teacher and 2020 arrest for violence towards a disabled man, he remains free.
Why it matters: When abusers see they can harm animals without consequences, they escalate to humans.

The Way Forward: Demanding Change

This isn’t just about Derek F. It’s about a system that fails to protect the voiceless. Here’s what must happen:

Reopen Derek’s Cases

Demand the Deschutes County DA file felony animal cruelty charges.
Push for an investigation into law enforcement’s inaction.

Strengthen Laws

Pass “Duke’s Law” in Oregon to mandate harsher penalties for repeat animal abusers.
Require cross-reporting between animal control and domestic violence agencies.

Hold Authorities Accountable

Name and shame officials who ignore abuse (e.g., DA John Hummel, Deschutes County Sheriff).
Flood media and legislators with demands for reform.

Conclusion: No More Silence

Derek F’s victims—human and animal—deserve justice. But until we treat animal abuse as the violent crime it is, abusers will keep exploiting this loophole.

If the system won’t act, we must. Share this story. Tag journalists. Call prosecutors. Let’s make sure the next time an abuser raises a hand to an animal—or a person—someone finally listens.

#JusticeForDuke #PetsAreNotProperty #StopTheAbuser

Call to Action:

Email Deschutes DA John Hummel: da@deschutes.org
Contact Oregon legislators: Find Your Rep
Share this post with #JusticeForDuke to amplify.

We Are Not Broken