A new Pennsylvania bill aimed at protecting companion animals from abusers in domestic situations has been signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro, local news reports.
H.B. 1210 amends the Protection From Abuse section of Title 23. While it previously protected the person abused and their children from the abuser, it now also includes their innocent animal companions. Protection orders in cases of domestic abuse will finally include any threatening or physical violence against a companion animal, with the defendant being subject to arrest for violating it.
Under the new law, a judge may approve an order in favor of the companion animal’s guardian, “Granting temporary ownership rights over defendant to refrain from possessing, contacting, attempting to contact, transferring or relocating the companion animal or contacting or entering the property of any person sheltering the companion animal.”
“Abusers will often abuse or threaten the abuse of pets to further torment the victim or keep them from leaving, exacerbating an already traumatic situation,” the bill’s co-sponsor, Christina Sappey, said in a news release.
Domestic violence victims often report a fear of leaving their abuser because no one wants to leave a member of their family behind, and sadly, most shelters don’t accept animals. Hopefully, this amendment gives more victims the courage to leave dangerous domestic situations, as their vulnerable animal companions are protected by law from the abuser.
Lady Freethinker applauds Pennsylvania for including companion animals in Title 23’s Protection From Abuse. Such a small but significant change in the law will save the lives of so many animals that are hurt or killed due to acts of domestic violence.
